Lucky Philip Dube, was a South African reggae musician and songwriter who was born on 3 August 1964, in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Though almost two decades since he passed, is still one of both South Africa’s and Africa as a whole most successful musician till date.
Dube’s interest in music began at an early age and at about 9 years old he had already started his music journey. He joined his school choir in the early 1970’s. He later formed a band with some friends in school called “The Skyway Band”. While at school he discovered the Rastafari movement.
At about 18 he joined his cousins band the love brothers playing zulu pop music, while still in school.
The band had shows around South Africa and they mostly did their studio recordings during his holidays. They did their first album “Lucky Dube and the Supersoul”, and a second album soon after which he not only sang, but started developing interest in writing too, which was around the time he started learning English.
Drawing inspiration from Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Dube started transitioning into reggae songs at about his fifth albums after noticing positive response from fans to his reggae live performances. His music were both inspiration and also addressing political issues, racism and other social injustices in both South Africa and around the globe. His music received lots of nominations and musical awards and till date has still remain relevant.
His fan base cuts across all continents and race and even non reggae music lovers like myself always has a thing for his style of music.
Unfortunately, Dube was killed by gun shots and it was reported that he crashed his car as he tried to drive off and unfortunately lost his live. Just like other major world events I believe most adult always remembers where they were when the news of his date first broke.
Dube has left a legacy in both African music and the world that has till date remained unequalled by anyone else. Some of his songs like ‘’Prisoner”, Slave, Different Colours, House of Exile, Romeo, It’s not easy, etc are household favourites around the globe and both the young and old can always relate to them.
In Australia, Dube’s music has found resonance in remote Australia Aboriginal communities and his popularity has led Lucky Dube to be called “Bigger than the Beatles”.
Its a wrap