Biography
This is his story
Timeline
Early childhood 1964 – 1971
Finding Reggae Lucky Philip Dube was born on the 3rd of August in 1964. After a few failed pregnancy attempts by his mother Sarah, Lucky came into the world. Giving birth to a boy was considered a blessing and his mother considered his birth so fortunate that she aptly named him ‘Lucky’. His birth took place on a small farm outside the town of Ermelo, a dry, unspectacular area some 150 kilometers west of Johannesburg. Born into a single parent family, times were tough for a black boy born into poverty and with the Group Areas Act and the Pass Laws of the time, many families relocation was restricted, therefore children grew up not knowing their fathers at all, as they were often forced to leave home to find work in the cities. Lucky’s parents had separated before he was born.
His mother relocated to find work, leaving Lucky and his siblings Thandi and Patrick to be cared for by his devoted and steadfast grandmother. Unfortunately for Sarah, work was scarce and survival became her objective as she took a job as a domestic worker, barely able to send money home for her children. Lucky began working at the age most western children enter school to help support his grandmother. He began by working in gardens around the white suburbs in the town.
School and destiny collide 1971 – 1981
A few years later, Lucky started school. Although a clearly under-privileged child and despite being taught in Afrikaans, Lucky excelled! Despite a dire situation at home, school offered a new, inspiring one – music.
Lucky was a natural performer and leader. So of course, when the choir master walked out of their practice one day, Lucky gladly took on the role. Under his leadership, the choir placed third in an inter-school competition – a novel achievement for the school.
His popularity amongst his teachers and peers grew dramatically… School was a safe haven.
By chance, Lucky stumbled across some musical instruments in a cupboard and his curiosity piqued. He and some friends decided to start experimenting and before long they had arranged times to meet and ‘borrow’ the instruments. They formed what was to be Lucky’s first official band – The Skyway Band, and genuinely believed that they would find stardom.
Unfortunately that all fell apart when they were discovered playing the instruments by a teacher who locked the instruments away from then on. But Lucky was now 18 years old, and although still in school due to starting late, he had found his passion.

Family ties and a future in music
In 1982 Lucky joined a band called ‘The Love Brothers’, alongside older cousin, Richard Siluma. The group was already established when Lucky asked to join, but had already formed a reputation as a strong singer and the group gave him a spot. They began touring around Newcastle (KwaZulu-Natal – then Natal) playing community events and school halls. ‘The Love Brothers’ played a traditional Zulu music known as Mbaqanga – Lucky’s preferred genre for years to come.
Siluma moved up the ranks from warehouse packer to a record producer at Teal Records – now Gallo Record Company. He then turned his attention towards the band he had originally formed – The Love Brothers. They got together with the view to record and Lucky signed with Teal Records.
Making music matter 1982 – 1985
Lucky was then only 18 years old and technically still in school, so the album was recorded during school holidays. Although recorded with The Love Brothers, the album was released as ‘Lucky Dube and The Supersoul’ with Richard producing…
Lucky hadn’t written any lyrics on that album, but in the albums to follow, he played an integral role in putting meaning to the music – and bringing in more money.
By his third album he could actually afford to purchase some instruments as well as a recording desk. Already the sales figures were beginning to hit gold status and people were noticing him. His mother showed great concerns for the uncertainty of a life made of music and Lucky swore to complete school. He also made the important decision to learn English in order to handle the record executives and media with more confidence. When his fourth album was released, Lucky was saving money and wanted to move out of home.
Around the time of his 5th Mbaqanga album, Lucky met Dave Segal. Dave became his long-time friend and engineer, recording every one of Lucky’s albums going forward. Richard had started concentrating solely on Lucky’s career and dropped the ‘Supersoul’ element of the name. All albums were now being recorded purely as ‘Lucky Dube’ and all the focus was going Lucky’s way.

Serious Reggae Business 1985
His performances were getting more recognition as well. His dance moves were really something spectacular and his ability to get the crowd going made him a sought-after performer. One of the highlights of Lucky’s performances seemed to be the reggae tracks he would perform – ‘Reggae Man’ and ‘City Life’. Initially only slowly introducing them into a set, it soon became apparent that the crowds were more responsive to these songs.
In 1985, Lucky and Richard decided it was time to record a full album of reggae songs and judge the response to that. What started there set Lucky’s career as we all know it in motion.
Lucky had been listening to much reggae at the time. The lyrics particularly intrigued him as they were social messages aimed at the struggle of the black man, whilst still maintaining a commercial sound. Lucky felt it was the perfect medium for the South African political situation.
Lucky, Richard and Dave – the dream team – went into the studio and began work on their first reggae release. 4 tracks later, the mini-album ‘Rastas Never Die’ was ready. Lucky had played all the instruments himself with Dave using a few studio effects to back him up. The record was released – it completely bombed, selling only 4 000 units when his Mbaqanga records were peaking around 30 000 units.
The record company were not happy about the reggae idea to begin with, and now they had even more reason to keep Lucky singing in his familiar style. However, Lucky was not discouraged. He continued to perform his reggae tracks, and started writing more, slowly introducing them to his live sets.
Lucky had been listening to much reggae at the time. The lyrics particularly intrigued him as they were social messages aimed at the struggle of the black man, whilst still maintaining a commercial sound. Lucky felt it was the perfect medium for the South African political situation.
Lucky, Richard and Dave – the dream team – went into the studio and began work on their first reggae release. 4 tracks later, the mini-album ‘Rastas Never Die’ was ready. Lucky had played all the instruments himself with Dave using a few studio effects to back him up. The record was released – it completely bombed, selling only 4 000 units when his Mbaqanga records were peaking around 30 000 units.
The record company were not happy about the reggae idea to begin with, and now they had even more reason to keep Lucky singing in his familiar style. However, Lucky was not discouraged. He continued to perform his reggae tracks, and started writing more, slowly introducing them to his live sets.

The Lucky we now know 1986 – 2007
The public slowly started to associate him more and more with this new sound, and audiences that understood English grew particularly fond of the reggae songs. It was time for Lucky to try again. The record company were adamant that he should record another Zulu record but when he emerged from the studio, his second reggae album was complete. The album was called ‘Think About The Children’ and went on to be the breakthrough record that would establish him as one of South Africa’s biggest stars.
The record continues to sell to his day and has reached more than platinum status in South Africa alone. And that was how the legend Lucky Dube was created. Through his countless sensational reggae albums, Lucky went on to craft himself into one of the biggest names in South African music. From the adulating crowds in South Africa, to the rigours and acclaim from international tours, Lucky travelled across America, Europe and the Far East, through the Caribbean, the South Pacific and of course upwards through Africa on his journey to fame and recognition.
A legend and his legacy
In 2007, Lucky was brutally gunned down in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is survived by his 7 children and wife. Lucky’s death sent shockwaves around the world, as fans and musicians mourned the loss of a legend and an icon.
From the release of his first album in 1985, until his death, Lucky maintained the humble nature that brought him closer to the people that so inspired his music. With 22 albums under his belt, he toured the world more times over than anyone could dream of and shared stages with names such as Maxi Priest, Sinead O-Connor, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Seal, Ziggy Marley, Celine Dion, Sting and many, many others. He raked in over 20 local and international awards for his music and videos, yet as a person he was unaffected by his success.
Today, Lucky is still one of the most recognizable and relevant artists across the African continent, in the north, south, east or west…Through his music his message of equality, democracy, peace and giving hope to the disenfranchised lives on.
