In 1989 he won four OKTV Awards for his album ‘Prisoner’, won another for ‘Captured Live’ the next year and another two for ‘House of Exile’ in 1991. He then dipped into the waters of song-writing, creating a strong political voice and writing songs with themes of injustice, adversity and the struggle for freedom. Dube Legacyĭube continued to record commercially successful songs that had a lively, easy-flowing sound and traditional beat. It reached platinum status in SA and firmly established Dube’s career. Dube then became an icon of the Reggae sound, and the release of his second album ‘Think About the Children’ was much more successful. His first Reggae album ‘Rastas Never Die’ was released in 1986 and although it was not financially viable at first, it became more popular over the years. Dube enjoyed Reaggae because of its socio-political message, and as a black musician trying to make a career during the oppressive years of apartheid, he was drawn to the sound. He and long-time sound engineer Dave Segal decided to make a Reggae album, drawing inspiration from legendary musicians Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff. After the release of his fourth album, he became commercially successful in the Mbaqanga scene.Īlthough Dube’s music was heavily influenced by traditional sounds, fans preferred his reggae music, which was featured in hits ‘Reggae Man’ and ‘City Life’.
He did not complete school as he wanted to focus on music, gaining popularity with his second and third albums.
In the same year, he recorded his first album ‘Lucky Dube and The Supersoul’ with The Love Brothers. In 1928, 18-year-old Dube joined his cousin’s band The Love Brothers and focused on playing traditional Zulu music known as Mbaqanga. It was also at school that Dube discovered the Rastafarian movement, and although he was never strictly practicing, he wore his hair in dreadlocks which lent him the air of a Rastafarian. He found music to be his escape from the hardships of his life. He joined the school choir and later formed the ensemble The Skyway Band with friends. As a young teenager, Dube sought work as a gardener, later attending school and studying in English and Afrikaans. He had a great love for her and noted her to be his biggest inspiration. Lucky Philip Dube was born in 1964 in Mpumalanga (formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal) and grew up with his two siblings and grandmother. In his later years, became a talented lyricist and wrote music with a strong message of empowerment, liberation and the need for activism. He was killed by robbers in Johannesburg in October 2007.His easy-flowing melodies had a traditional feel, as he made use of traditional African instruments and indigenous beats. Through his music, Lucky also addressed some significant socio-political issues. While he was still in school, he released his debut album, ‘Lucky Dube and the Supersoul.’ In 1984, he turned to reggae music after understanding its popularity and released a reggae mini-album titled ‘Rastas Never Dies.’ Over the years, he released many reggae albums, such as ‘Prisoner,’ ‘Trinity,’ ‘Victims,’ and ‘Soul Taker.’ He received enormous success through record sales and live performances. He also joined a choir and began making music after joining a few local bands. While in high school, he was introduced to the ‘Rastafarian’ movement, which was picking up a huge following in South Africa. Lucky also worked, while studying at the same time.
Since he was born after a lot of failed pregnancies, his mother named him “Lucky.” His was a poor family, and his mother had to work hard to make ends meet. He hailed from Ermelo and was raised single-handedly by his mother, as his parents had separated before his birth. Lucky Dube was a South African musician, regarded as the best reggae musician to have ever been born in South Africa.