The name Lucky Dube will definitely ring a bell to Africans and reggae fans all over the world. A few days ago was the eleventh anniversary of his death and he was fondly remembered by loved ones and fans globally. Just in case you have no idea who this reggae icon is, he is about to be revealed to you in this article.
Biography
He was born on August 3, 1964 in Ermelo, Moumalanga, South Africa. His birth name was Lucky Phillip Dube. He was a renowned reggae musician who was killed on October 18, 2007.
Early life
Along with his two other siblings Lucky Dube was raised by his mother and grandmother. His siblings’ names are Thandi and Patrick. Questions about his father rose being that he was never around. However his parents were separated just before Lucky’s birth. He was named Lucky by his mum because she had suffered many failed pregnancies before having him.
His parents
A lot of obscurity surrounded Lucky Dube’s parentage after his death. Rumors have it that the reggae icon was sired by a Zimbabwean father. Despite the fact that a lot of secrecy surrounds who his parents are, it is known that he is from the Chibwana family. The Chibwana family come from Chiwundura in Gokwe.
His age
At the time of his death Lucky Dube was 43 years old and 2 weeks. The reports in the newspapers stated that he was killed in a failed car hijack on October 18, 2007.
Personal life and family
Lucky Dube was married to Zanele Mduli at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and seven children.
Musical career and awards
Dube had love for music from a tender age and while in school joined a choir with some friends. At 18 he joined his cousin’s band known as The Love Brothers. They played Zulu pop music popularly known as mbaqanga.
After this Lucky went into music full time reeling out album after album and making great hits. His album was banned by the government in 1984 for carrying critical lyrics. This occurrence did not discourage him and he released an album the next year which had platinum sales.
Awards won by the South Africa reggae icon
- In 1989 – Four OKTV Awards for Prisoner, another for Captured Live the following year, and another two for House of Exile the year after.
- In 1996 – he was named Best Selling African Recording Artist at the World Music Awards
- International Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards.
- His next three albums each won South African Music Awards.
Albums released by Lucky Dube
- Captured Live (1990)
- Trinity (1995)
- Umadakeni (2006)
- Africa’s Reggae King (2001)
- The Rough Guide to Lucky Dube (2001)
- Prisoner(1989)
- The Other Side (2003)
- Taxman (1997)
- Soul Taker (2001)
- House of Exile (1991)
- Lengane Ngeyethu (2006)
- Victims (Remastered) (1993)
- Respect (2006)
- Think About the Children (2006)
Hit songs by Lucky Dube
- Rastas Never Dies (1984) EP
- Think About the Children (1985)
- Slave (1987)
- Together As One (1988)
- Prisoner (1989)
- Captured Live (1990)
- House of Exile (1991)
- Victims (1993)
- Trinity (1995)
- Taxman (1997)
- The way It Is (1999)
- Soul Taker (2001)
- The Other Side (2003)
- Respect (2006)
- Put a Little Love
- Romeo
- Sleeping Dogs
- Teach the World
- Money-Money- money
- Is This Freedom?
- Love Me (The Way I Am)
- Good Girl
- Fugitive
- Sins of the Flesh
- Shut Up
- Political Games
- Changing World
- Shembe is the Way
- Monster
- Celebrate Life
- The One
- Choose Your Friends
- Never Leave You
- Mask
- Touch Your Dreams
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