The Exotic Performance of Lucky Dube
Published August 30, 2004
As he climbed up the stage, a thunderous scream of love, devotion and hapiness from the crowd greeted him. He grabbed the microphone and the serious reggae business started. Lucky's Peter Tosh-style of voice was like a magnet pulling everyone to dancing. He sang a couple of his old songs like "Money Money Money" taken from the album Soul Taker. But things went different when he sang "One People Different Colours." The people were filled with mixed feelings of sadness and joy. I saw some weeping, swinging their hands in the air, some carrying bands with bold inscription: "Lucky we love you," "Lucky welcome to Antwerpen," etc. I have never seen this anywhere before.
Then he shifted to his new album The Other Side, which is already on sale. He explained the reason he wrote that song. "Part of the grass is green and the other part is not. Many Africans in Europe today want to go home, while those in Africa want to come to Europe."
After playing "The Other Side" he also played a tune called "Soldier," followed by "Kwasa-Kwasa," his own invention of reggae and kwasa beats. Lucky Dube pulled up a spellbinding performance that won him an ovation at polepole festival. He ritired to the bus later and got changed. About fifteen minutes later he came out and signed on a lot of materials for some of the fans and he gave them out. Some also had the chance to talk to this simple man, whose music played an important role to the fall of apartheid over ten years ago.
- The Exotic Performance of Lucky Dube
- Published: August 30, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Reggae and Caribbean
- Writer: Joel Savage
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Comments on this articleComments
very good
I know that I'm late but he is really a great man. We saw him many times. It's always a pleasure to see him perform.
Please take a look on our fanpage about Lucky Dube.
http://www.luckydube.ch.tf
IRIE from Switzerland
Hello Ricco and Daniela, thanks for your interest and comments on Lucky Dube's performance at Pole-pole festival-Belgium.
I also took my time to visit the Fan Site which you introduced to me. It's a beautiful site. Even though it is written in German, Lucky's message is always the same. "Togetherness and Peace"
Different colours, one people.
Thanks for visit the fanpage.
Lucky will be in Europe during July.
Until now I know a festival in Switzerland and one in Italy.
I will update the page as soon as I know more.
He will be here for 4 weeks, so I hope that he play in your region.
IRIE
lucky has always been a thriller to me, and i have always looked forward to seeing him perform live
Mr Dube or has always been my favourite amongst other reggae artists. In most cases, he sings about my life, real things taking place in my life, and so i regard him as my personal prophet. In his song, its not easy, he sang exactly what transpired in my life when i had a devastating love encounter with Deborah. In Devorce Party, he sang about my just ended relationship with Felistas (to name juss but a few). But, he southes my heart with the song touch your dream in his latest oferring. I dont know how to get in touch with him juss to tell him how i appreciate his good work, poetic expertise and story telling skills. Mr Dube, our own AFRICAN LEGENDARY, Bob Marley of the time, big up to you, dont stop instead, put MO FIRE, i'm one of your best fans, u got my support till the end of tym. WE FEEL IREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
I HAVE RUN OUT OF WORDS TO USE CONCERNING THE TRAGIC DEATH OF THE TRUE SON OF THE SOIL{LUCKY DUBE} IF DEATH CAN REALLY STRIKE LIKE THIS, THEN ITS NOT WORTHY LIVING IN THIS WORLD.WHY SHOULD THIS UNFAIR WORLD TAKE SUCH GREAT SON OF AFRICA OR IS IT GOOD THINGS DONT JUST LAST LONG.
WE HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF OUR MENTOR,EDUCATOR,PROPHET OF OUR TIME BECAUSE OF THE MESSAGES THAT HE BROUGHT OUT THAT EVEN A FEW PEACHERS TODAY KEEP ON FEEDING OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD.
HE WAS MORE THAN SOME PREACHERS{MEN OF GOD}WHO ARE JUST INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE REAL MESSAGE.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE: LUCKY DUBE DESPITE YOUR DEATH, I WILL STILL NOT FORGET YOU PERSONALLY AND YOUR GREAT MESSAGES YOU PREACHED TO US.
LONG LIVE THE TRUE, LONG LIVE THE MESSAGE
Lucky this one s for you my friend May you find peace amongst the stars and may your music rule the earth forever
LUCKY WAS A BIG TIME INSPIRATION IN ALL HIS SONGS AND PERFORMANCS.IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE FOR HIS MUSIC.
TAKE FOR INSTANCE THE POWERFUL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SUCH SONGS:
-SOLDIER
-ROMEO
-SHEMBE
-RESPECT
-GUNS AND ROSES
-YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR FRIEND
-MONEY MONEY MONEY
-TAXMAN ETC.
THE MESSAGE WAS COINED IN SUCH A WAY THAT EVEN PREACHERMEN WHO HAVE STUDIED THEOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY CAN NOT MANAGE COINING THE MESSAGE IN THE MANNER HE DID.
TRUTH OVER YOUR TRUTH,LUCKY WAS NOT ONLY THE SHINNING LIGHT BUT WAS A PATHFINDER.
I VOW TO EMMULATE HIM AND PUT HIS MONOPOLY MESSAGE TO GOOD USE FOR HE IS THE GOOD SOURCE OF WISDOM TO ANY STRAIGHT THINKING CHARACTER.
I ONLY SAY FIRE BURN THE KILLERS AND GRIND THEM TO FINE POWDER.THEY SHOULDBE MADE FOOD FOR THE CROCODILES.
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thanks Joel and welcome, all the way from Belgium!