Remembrance: Lucky Dube-one of the greatest reggae artists of all times

LuckDube was one of the finest reggae artists of all times. His music  is still  a part of us even after his death and it still moves a lot of people because the message in the music was strong and relevant not only in the South African context but to the world at large. Lucky Dube’s songs carry a social message and articulated the struggles of a black man during the apartheid era in SA such in his songs “Prisoner” and “House of Exile” among others. His songs were not only rich with a message inside but also greatly entertained us to great lengths and I’m sure those who can identify with his music can testify to that.

Dube was born on a small farm near Ermelo in the Transvaal (now Mpumalanga). He was named Lucky because he was considered fortunate to have survived ill health as a child. Though he did not consider himself a Rasta in the traditional sense, his dreadlocks and espousal of Jah (God) lent him the air of a Rastafarian .He started his carrier as a traditional musician in 1979 and switched to reggae in1984(www.theguardian.com).

Dube recorded more than twenty albums and won numerous awards for his music. He won four OKTV awards for ‘Prisoner’ another for‘captured’ and another two for the ‘House of exile’, Serious Reggae business, a compilation album released in 1996, won him the title of the best selling African recording artist (www.sahistory.com).

Lucky will always be remembered for his great music with songs such as ‘Remember me’ and ‘Prisoner’, ‘Think about the children’ and ‘Different colours’ among others. Lucky is described as a down to earth, superb artist with a message in his music, an artist with a reason and rhyme in everything he did.

Dube died at the age of 43 when he was shot dead in an attempted car hijacking in Johannesburg on October 18 2007.His works are still celebrated and loved not only in South Africa but the world at large. ‘Lucky Dube was the King’ of Reggae and his memory will forever live through his music. 

 

Lucky Dube-www.africahit.com

Lucky Dube-wir.skyrock.net