The Daily Observer (Banjul)
22 October 2007
editorial
The Gambian music fraternity is still reeling from the violent death of the South African reggae legend, Lucky Dube on Thursday night.
The tragic death shocked reggae adherents across the continent. Since the news of his death was announced on Friday, his legion of fans in The Gambia and abroad, jammed radio stations and media houses, with calls expressing shock and dismay at the violent killing of their hero. On the GRTS and West Coast, condolences came from both the social and cultural spectrum of The Gambia.
Philip Dube; aka Lucky Dude, died at 43, just two months after he celebrated his birthday.
This wave of reaction to this sad news by the Gambian public, including non-reggae music lovers is indeed a manifestation of the extent at which the The Slave (his touring band) star was admired in The Gambia. His live performance at the Independence Station in Bakau a few years ago had made him even more endearing to the hearts of thousands of Gambians, most of whom attended the spectacular show.
He has sung many crime related songs and has died by the crime that he helped to fight, through music. He was christened Dube at the school choir where his stage singing talent was nurtured.
Despite the fact that most Rastafarians are known to be heavy drinkers and smokers of the "herb", Dube did not indulge in such habits.
Some of his songs that touch on crime include Guns and Roses where he underscores the need for unity and end to the differences in the southern African country. His songs transcend race and he had always inspired people to love and live as one human family.
In his Banjul concert, Lucky took a shot across his fans and simply declared: "When I look at you, see the people." This powerful call for oneness among human family continues to resonate in the country; he has contributed through his melodic voice of peace to the consolidation of peace in The Gambia.
Besides singing, Dube also featured in a movie, which was aptly entitled Getting Lucky and starred in the feature film Voice In The Dark, alongside actor John Savage.
He held the record for having the longest product endorsement for a musician ever in South Africa - The product was Ace Maize Meal.
He was the only South African artist to have had a record, signed to Motown Records. He had won over 20 awards for his musical contribution - both in South Africa and globally. He recorded more than 20 albums in his music career, which spanned more than 25 years.
Dube had been used the same sound engineer since he started recording music, Dave Segal, the same man who also accompanied him on every tour.
In the song, Crazy World, Dube points out the fact that human life has lost the dignity it had and death is more predictable than living.
He left behind a legacy of reggae music laden with socio-political messages. He was a liberator and an iconic symbol of justice, peace and love. He will be remembered most for his political music during the apartheid regime when he released albums, such as Together as One, I am a Prisoner and Think about the Children. His latest album released in 2006, is called Respect.
South Africa 's President Thabo Mbeki, in a message of condolence to Dube's family, appealed to South Africans to unite and confront the "scourge" of crime. "It is indeed very, very sad that this happened to an outstanding South African - an outstanding musician, world renowned," said Mbeki.
The South African investigating authorities should do everything possible to track down the perpetrators of this heinous, callous and dastardly act. We strongly condemn the murder and hope that the perpetrators will be arrested to face the full force of the law. Failure to track a murderer threatens another life.
The killers of Dube who are still at large managed to end his life, but his music and memory will surpass the bullet that fell this great musical icon.
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when there were shooting were was the police for then to arrest inocent peoples
Condolences to the family, may god be with you at this tragic time. WE know, i know what happen is not & will never easily forgotten. On behalf of fans & myself lin Smith all the way here in Belize. Lucky & his family will always be in out T taught, heart & mind, prayers. I want you to know as long as Belize live lucky & his family will live. He is dead but his spirit is alive. That's the most important therefore he will live on. I most say through musician i must say with tears down my… [Read Full Text]
most rastafarians are not drinkers.... and do not over indulge in the wines of babylon... sum drink here and there a bit and many do not drink at all....bless
Greetings,
Thank you for the article concerning the brutal and senseless murder of Lucky Dube. I have been a reggae radio dj in the United States for nearly twenty years and had the privilege of interviewing and seeing Lucky perform. My prayers go out to all the international fans and the family of Lucky Dube.
I would like to correct a comment in your article that says that Rastafarians are known to be 'heavy drinkers and smokers." Although, many Rastafarians smoke ganja (marijuana) very few drink alcohol. They are certainly NOT heavy drinkers. This misinformation does not help create the… [Read Full Text]
I just lost my Hero. It's such a big shame that they took him away innocently in front of his kids. Just because of little Volkwagen Golf car??? I tend to wonder if there was another motive behind the killing. I doubt if the killers knew who he was. But the truth is they killed our Hero, our Legend. The African reggae Maestro. May they face the harshest part of the law.
We will always remember you Lucky. Your memories will always be with us forever. There will always be one LUCKY DUBE.
May… [Read Full Text]
Hey, i'm a student currently doing studies in New Zealand...Just wanted to say how sad me and my friends were when we found the tragic news about lucky dube...over here to us he was known as one of our uncles even thou he didn't know us, but we understood his music we loved it, jamed to it,danced just name it we LOVED HIM and his wonderful talent at musice representing the REGGAE NATION but we were also guttered when we heard about him we didn't wanna belive it especially me...such a shame one of the FAMOUS WELL KNOWN LEGENDS "UNCLE… [Read Full Text]
Great article on Lucky Dube, thanks for honouring a legend among reggae stars.
Please, next time do a little research first about your subject matter. The statement "Despite the fact that most Rastafarians are known to be heavy drinkers and smokers of the "herb"" is not only ignorant but disrespectful. Although not a rasta myself, I am good friends with many. First many have told me that true rastas don't drink as it is man made and not naturally occurring. Others have told me that beer and wine ferment naturally and therefore are ok to drink, but I have never… [Read Full Text]
See all comments (12).
The news about our great hero was too sad to believe. And its to the disgrace and disappointment of the south Africa Government to lost a gem in their country. All i have to say is that all other artist needs to be extra careful so that they dont lose their lives like that.. A serious action most be taken over this matter to stop this kind of act. Ifedayo from Nigeria.