LUCKY DUBE SINGS ABOUT TODAY'S VIOLENT WORLD

‘Crazy World’: Lucky Dube’s music is rapidly revealing violence and killings in today’s racially violent world

What Sort Of World Are We Inviting Our Children Into?

“Everywhere in the world, people are fighting for freedom; nobody knows what is right, nobody knows what is wrong. The black man says it’s the white man, the white man says it’s the black man. Indians say it’s the coloreds, coloreds say it’s everyone,” sings South African reggae legend, Lucky Dube, in a racial tension song called ‘War and Crime.’

This is a perfect song whose lyrics describe the events of today’s racially chaotic world in Europe and America. The world is increasingly becoming so dangerous that we need to ask ourselves: What sort of world are we inviting our children into? And what sort of future are we building for them in this racially bitter society?

Years after slavery, the relationship between African Americans and Americans remains very poor. After the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, regarding Rodney King, many thought things would improve, but recent shootings of police officers to death reveal that there isn’t any imminent peace between African-Americans and Americans. “How long is this gonna last, cause we’ve come so far so fast,”- asked Lucky Dube, the South African reggae legend.

Lucky Dube continued “I’ m not saying this because I’m a coward, but I’m thinking of the lives that we lose every time we fight. Killing innocent people, women and children yeah,” reflecting on last week’s events of the senseless massacre of innocent people in Nice, France, as a truck plowed through Bastille Day crowd, killing 84 people, including children.

In Nice, France, a truck plowed through the Bastille Day crowd, killing 84 people, including children. Two young women are laying flowers for the victims.

Children are usually caught up in racially motivated crimes and violence, yet they are not responsible for any of them. But many times influenced by the crimes surrounding them and what they watch on television, they grow up to be racists and criminals. 

Actually, a child is never born a racist; adults and the harsh environmental experience influence them. World leaders, schools, and parents have a huge task to create a happy and safe environment for our children: “We should bury down apartheid, racism, discrimination, and fight down war and crime,” Lucky Dube

 advised.

“DADDY WHERE EVER YOU ARE REMEMBER ME”- LUCKY DUBE

Lucky Dube of South Africa: One of the world’s greatest reggae legends

Many great people die and nobody remembers them anymore. All that they achieved perish with them forever, but not Lucky Dube.  Like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, etc, the fame of Lucky Dube, the mesmerizing South African reggae star has overflowed its banks, ranking him one of the greatest musicians the world has ever known.

It’s often said good or great people die very young. This is a statement I have never pondered over it until the unexpected death of this perfect gentleman whose songs seek peace, love, unity, and speak against social problems and injustice. 

Like many others, I haven’t overcome the death of Lucky Dube, because I interviewed him, and above all his music is among my favorite reggae collections.

Every song that Lucky Dube made was a hit because his lyrical is brilliant and delightful. His invention and combination of mbaqanga (traditional Zulu) music created such a beautiful melody satisfying music lovers across the globe. 

His song “Daddy where ever you remember me,” is one of my favorites because it reminds me of the day at the age of 19, standing by my father’s hospital bed and he passed away.

DOES THE ROYAL FAMILY OF BELGIUM SUPPORT CRIME?

The Royal Family of Belgium: King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and their children.

“It takes a million people to build up a good reputation, but it takes one stupid fool to destroy everything they have done,” sings the late Lucky Dube, South Africa’s reggae legend. This is the exact situation of the Royal Family of Belgium, as one of its ancestors, King Leopold II, was a greedy, ruthless ruler and a murderer.

Some women have given birth to monsters to rule this world. Apart from Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Josef Stalin, Saddam Hussein, etc, another evil man whose crimes against humanity shocked the world is King Leopold II. 

Born on 17 December 1865 in Brussels, the horrible crimes Leopold committed were swept under the carpet, but the hump in the carpet has exposed his heinous crimes to be seen by the whole world.

In the 1880s, when Europe was scrambling over the continent of Africa like ants stumbling upon a sugar source, Congo became the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. 

The 905,000 square miles (76 times larger than Belgium) of African rainforest held vast natural mineral resources, including rubber, a commodity in high demand in late 19th-century industrial Europe.

King Leopold II of Belgium was responsible for the deaths and mutilation of 10 million Congolese Africans during the late 1800s. On his throne in Brussels, Leopold gave orders to his commanding officer to: Cut off the heads of the men and hang them on the village palisades, also their sexual members, and to hang the women and the children on the palisade in the form of a cross.”  

Leopold’s reign of terror wasn’t only the cutting off of the heads and hands of the innocent, helpless Congolese, but flogging them to death, starving them into forced labour, holding children ransom, and burning villages, as a punishment for those who failed to meet the rubber quotas set by the Belgian officers.

The disturbing part of this story is that after the death of Leopold II, his successors (The Belgian Royal Family) never took his crimes into account. Instead, he was hailed as a hero, naming of streets named after him and a statue built in his honor. 

That’s where the Royal Family went wrong because the dead can’t be mocked. There are many restless souls haunting people in their homes. There are houses where people can’t stay inside, all because of the horrible circumstances those people were murdered.

The lunatic King Leopold II's statue

Adolf Hitler killed over six million Jews. In Germany, streets named after him have been changed, but not in Belgium. The government has named many streets after the lunatic Leopold II, and many of his statues are all over Belgium. 

A country that doesn't support crime wouldn't do what the government did. The reason I say it clearly and loudly is that the Royal Family of Belgium supports crime.

REGGAE AND MUSIC FANS, KNOW THE LIFE AND PASSION OF YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS

Interview with great musicians behind the reggae music

Musicians are seen performing daily, travelling from country to country, entertaining fans. They have a lot of fans and followers, but only a few people know about them. One particular music in which concert attracts a large audience is Reggae. 

Even though this type of music that carries a prophetic message is not heavily promoted by MTV like other music, such as R&B, pop, soul, etc, Reggae has penetrated deep into the international platform.

The only way to know the mind, life, and passion of a musician is to be close to them. My love for music led me to meet some of the great musicians behind both Reggae and African music. 

In this book, 'The Passion of Reggae and African Music' are interviews with some of the great musicians. They are Lucky Dube, Gregory Isaacs, Anthony B, Capleton, Andrew Tosh, Julian Marley, Tutu Puoane, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, etc.

A good product needs no publicity, yet I always try to find a way for readers to enjoy this beautiful photo-illustrated book. This book is not only for Reggae fans but for all music lovers. Below are free pages for readers.

http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ/

THE PASSION OF REGGAE AND AFRICAN MUSIC

Interview with different musicians

Drumming and dancing have been part of Africa’s culture for ages as ceremonial activities initiated by ancestors to appease the gods. Unwillingly stolen away from Africa to the Caribbean, African music and rhythm found their way to these islands in the form of reggae music.  


Since then, reggae has acted as a magnet, creating a huge impact on the global music scene.

This type of music, which carries a prophetic message and spiritual lyrics, continues to influence musical genres, cultures, and societies throughout the world, contributing to the development of new counterculture movements in Europe, America, and Africa. 

“Reggae in the bathroom, Reggae in the bedroom, Reggae everywhere, Reggae in jail, Reggae in church, everybody likes it,” sings Lucky Dube.

In this book, the writer speaks to some of the masters behind contemporary reggae and African music. The influence and impact of these great musicians are internationally known and are recounted with warm, sincere, and unrivaled craftsmanship that distinguishes them in the music world. Read the live performances and interviews of:

Anthony B, Joseph Hill-Culture, Gregory Isaacs, U-Roy, Capleton, Julian Marley, Prince Malachi, Dean Frazer, Luciano-Jepthar McClymont, Johnny Clarke, Alton Ellis, Lucky Dube, Julian Murvin, Andrew Tosh, ASWAD, Live Wyya, Seun Kuti, Femi Kuti, Faytinga, Manu Dibango, Tutu Poane, HeartWash KingSillah, Leroy Brown, and The Congos.

Reggae Music has penetrated Africa, the continent of its origin.  It’s interesting to know how Jimmy Cliff’s reggae tunes changed the lifestyles of many Africans, including Ghanaians in the ghettos, followed by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, inspiring many musicians, including Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dube in Africa and Alborosie and Gentleman in Europe.

This beautifully illustrated, colour photo book is one of the most fascinating works ever written about reggae and African music.

                                                      
Preface

Reggae Music is not much promoted by music television stations, including MTV, yet the impact of the influence of reggae and those behind the music, Rastafarians, is enormous worldwide. Everyone knows it’s because of the message the music carries. 

The truth is, a Rastaman wouldn't sing about luxury when he faces hunger and poverty. He would not praise the judge and the president when the people are being denied justice.

Slavery has ruined his culture, degraded him, lost his identity, and taken him by force under sub-human conditions to another place. An unknown island, now called Jamaica. 

Taking his psychological instruments with him, Africa’s music finds its way to the Caribbean as Reggae, and the migration of Jamaicans to England came along with scores of people with musical experience and talents. Reggae music, therefore, gained followers within the Jamaican community.

It is therefore not surprising to see the influence of reggae strongly in Britain and other parts of the world where Jamaicans settled. In Britain exist scores of reggae stars, including Maxi Priest, Sugar Minott, Prince Malachi, Tipper Irie, Maxi Priest, Linton Kwesi Johnson, etc, and other formidable groups like Steel Pulse, Musical Youth, and Aswad.  

There are many reggae artists I have never had the opportunity to meet, but I know how their roles in the music industry change the reggae world.

I will, therefore, give credit to those musicians in the names of Ijah Man Levi, Bunny Wailer, Max Romeo, Dennis Brown, Don Carlos, Macka B, Winston Rodney, alias Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller, Augustus Pablo, Mutabaruka, Pablo Moses, Lee Scratch Perry, Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff,  Eric Donaldson, John Holt, Desmond Decker, Barrington Levi, Norman Washington Jackson, famously known as Tiger, Joseph Cotton, Shinehead and hundreds out there whose names didn’t appear.

“Reggae music will be there forever,” said Lucky Dube. The music has taken a new dimension with both old and new artists such as Shaggy, Mad Cobra, Super Cat, Bushman, Mickey Spice, Taurus Riley, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Shabba Ranks, Everton Blender, and the sons of Bob Marley. Damian, Ziggy, Julian, Stephen, Kymani, Alberto Dascola, alias Alborosie, Timann Otto, alias Gentleman.

Writing about the history of reggae music without mentioning the names of certain groups that added flavor and savor to reggae would be totally incomplete. 

I will, therefore, give credit to these groups: Mighty Diamonds, The Cimarron, Toots and the Maytals, The Abyssinians, Black Uhuru, Third World, The Heptones, The Skatalites, Israel Vibration, Morgan Heritage, The Gladiators, The Pioneers, The Wailing Souls, The Pioneers, Ethiopians, Jolly Brothers, UB 40, and Inner Circle.

Within a short period after meeting the reggae stars I interviewed, painful death has taken away four of the reggae stars I met. Joseph Hill of Culture group, Lucky Dube, Gregory Isaacs, and Alton Ellis are gone. 

Their space, no one can fill, but the roles they played in the history of reggae shall remain indelible. My condolences to their families, relatives, and fans who received the messages with shock.

Table of Contents

1.     African Descendants As Jamaicans

2.     The Prophesy Of The Birth Of A Nazarene

(The Significance of Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie To The Rastaman)

       (The Agony of Ethiopia After The Death of Haile Selassie

3.     The Influence of Jimmy Cliff’s Music in Africa

(Alpha Blondy and the Solar System- How his music has influenced Africans, After Jimmy Cliff)

4.     FAYTINGA: The Freedom Fighter Turned Musician

5.     Lucky Dube In Concert. July 4, 2004, Linkeroever-Antwerp

6.     Lucky Dube speaks to Joel Savage

7.     The Fatal Shooting That Killed Lucky Dube

8.     Culture Live At Pole-Pole Festival. Gent-Belgium

9.     Face To Face With The Great Joseph Hill Of Culture

10.           The Sudden Death Of Joseph Hill

11.           Julian Marley At Hove-Live Festival

12.           Johnny Clarke At Hove-Live Festival

13.           “I have never been out of Music, I am Always In Music”- Johnny Clarke

14.           “In My Song, Jah Is My Light And My Salvation”- Prince Malachi

15.           The Influence Of Aswad on the British Reggae Scene

16.           “I Am Back To Entertain My Fans”- Alton Ellis

17.           Alton Ellis Passes Away

18.           Seun Kuti At Sfinks Festival. Boechout-Belgium, July 31, 2005

19.           Tutu Poane Performs At Mano Mundo Festival

20.           Manu Dibango At Pole-Pole Festival. Gent-Belgium, July 21, 2005

21.           Andrew Tosh Brings Father On Stage

22.           “Definitely, My Father Was My Biggest Influence In Music”- Andrew Tosh

23.           Luciano Storms ‘Open Air Theatre’ in Antwerp

24.           Luciano Speaks About His Passion And Inspiration In Music

25.           At ‘Open Air Theatre’ with Dean Frazer

26.           Femi Kuti Sings Against Obasanjo and Other Corrupt Politicians

27.           “Poverty is created By Man, not God”- Anthony B

28.           Junior Murvin Entertains Fans At Venue ‘Petrol’

29.           Meeting Leroy Brown, One Of The Pioneers Of Reggae

30.           The Congos, Keeping Reggae Alive

31.           Meeting Rasta Ambassador U-Roy

32.           Gregory Isaacs Steals The Heart Of Ladies At ‘Petrol’

33.           Gregory Passes Away

34.           Roots Rock Reggae Group Called ‘Live Wyya’

35.           Capleton Explains The Message Of His Music

36.           The Diversity Of Africa’s Music And Culture In Europe And America

37.           King Sillah, An Upcoming Reggae Star In Antwerp

                    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013L9A1JQ

LUCKY DUBE IS GONE, BUT MUSIC LIVES FOREVER

Lucky Dube

"Nobody can stop reggae.

Nobody can stop reggae.
Nobody can stop reggae.
'Cos reggae's strong."

You can change the style of playing reggae
You can change the rhythm of playing reggae
But never change the message every time I play it, a Babylon A wish me fe dead, a wish me fe dead"

Those are the wonderful lyrics of one of the greatest tunes of the South African Reggae legend, Lucky Dube. October 18 marks the 5th anniversary of the murder superstar in his country. 

Through hard work, Lucky rose to be Africa's bestselling and outspoken reggae star; unfortunately, he didn't live long to enjoy the fruits of his labour. Lucky met his untimely death in an attempted car hijack.

In one of his interviews granted to me at the Pole-Pole festival in Antwerp, Belgium, a couple of years ago, Lucky said, "I know that the fall of Apartheid, I was part of it in some way."

His music was just like an arrow piercing through the flesh of the bad ones and the light to those engulfed in perpetual darkness. Truly, some great people don't live long. In a relatively short period, Lucky recorded  22 classic albums in Zulu and English.

Even though Lucky is gone, his music will never die. His music is aired more than any African reggae star. May his soul rest in peace, and music continue to inspire others like his daughter Nkule, and others to follow him.

http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ

Building the future of war affected children in Sierra Leone

Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone


Sierra Leone is diamond-rich but one of the poorest countries in the world. It was like that country never existed until a decade-long civil war brought it to world attention. Thousands of Sierra Leoneans were victims of the horrific war.

Adults and children suffered mutilations, amputations, and thousands of children were abducted by warring factions and forced to become child soldiers, porters, and child slaves. The country and its victims are still struggling to come to terms with their recent past.

The United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, who visited Sierra Leone, said that "Without the prospect of jobs and education, Sierra Leonean children could be a source of instability in a country which is yet to recover from a decade of war."

During his week-long visit to Sierra Leone last year, Mr. Otunnu launched "The Voice of the Children," a radio station run by the youths in the capital, Freetown. Otunnu was delighted to see the effort of people trying to rebuild the schools, which are in deplorable conditions.

He said, "Children should be at school rather than mining diamonds. He was shocked to see many children forced as slaves in the diamond mines at Kono district, yet wallowing in poverty and not attending school. Because they don't have adequate facilities."

"He was delighted when the children told him that they preferred to be in school to working at the mines. To rehabilitate the country's war-ravaged health and educational sectors, the World Bank approved 40 million dollars in grants to Sierra Leone. Part of the money will be used to restore what the bank called "The most essential functions of the health delivery system."

On February 25, 2003, President Tedjan Kabbah formally inaugurated a National Commission for the War Affected, calling it "One of the most far-reaching decisions we have made for the future of this nation." A war crime tribunal has been set up to investigate those who committed serious offenses and violated international humanitarian laws.

In the heat of the war and after it subsided, many great musicians, such as Lucky Dube and Joseph Hill of Culture (Jamaica), were in the country to play "Peace Concerts" in their efforts to unite the people for lasting peace.

The American-born film actor and producer, Michael Douglas, was also in Sierra Leone on a five-day tour to view the remains of the weapons surrendered to the United Nations and talk to some of the victims. Mr. Michael Douglas was named United Nations "Messenger of Peace" in 1998.

The fall of Apartheid, I knew I was part of it in some way - Lucky Dube

Interview of Lucky Dube at Pole-Pole Festival on July 4th, 2004, (Belgium) By JOEL SAVAGE



Lucky Dube is, no doubt, one of the best reggae artists the world has ever produced. His strong dissemination of melodic messages about racism, exploitation, and oppression has won him an acclamation all over the world. 


On July 4th, 2004, in Linkerover-Antwerp, after playing live, he granted this exclusive interview to the Voice Magazine Belgian Correspondent. Joel Savage

TV: When you started music at a young age, did you ever dream that one day your music would be widely accepted by reggae fans worldwide today?

Lucky: Well, I have an idea. Really, this was a dream for me. I wanted it to be like that, even though I wouldn't have a clear vision as to know how big it could be. But I have an idea, I wanted the music to reach people everywhere in the world.

TV: Many fans think that you are another Peter Tosh in the field of reggae, with strong lyrics of liberation. How do you react to this credit?

Lucky: It's a very great honour really, because Peter Tosh was the greatest musician that ever lived, and so I respect him so much, and to be given the same stage as he is a great honour to me. I do really appreciate that.

TV: On one of your albums, "Soul Taker," there is a special track called "Teach the World". Please, what inspired you to write such a great song?

Lucky: Well, "Teach the World" started actually because when we go around, there are a lot of things that we see and people from different countries, different cultures, and everything. But only to find out that people don't know much about Africa. 

They have some mis-speculations about Africa and just wanted people to teach each other. People in Africa must teach the outside world about their culture, beliefs, and everything, and want the outside world to teach Africa about its culture.

TV: You fought against apartheid in your songs. How did you feel ten years ago, to see apartheid falling like the Berlin Wall in 1989?

Lucky: It was great because it was the biggest dream I had at that time. So I was very happy when it finally happened. I knew I was part of it in some way. So I was very happy when it happened.

TV: You played in Washington DC, on September 20, 2000, with Joseph Hill's Culture. What was your experience with that group, since Joseph's message in the music is in line with yours?

Lucky: Well, it has been great with Joseph Hill. You know I have done many concerts with him. He is one of the good men in the music industry.

TV: Being a South African, you have visited many African countries. Have you ever visited war-torn countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia, since you have thousands of fans over there?

Lucky: Yes, we have visited those countries.

TV: That's great to hear that.

TV: Reggae in jail, reggae in church, everybody likes it. That's a true statement by you. But why is it that reggae music is given less attention than any other music? Is it because of its strong message?

Have a copy of this great book to read the interviews of your favourite reggae and African artists.

https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ?

THE EXOTIC PERFORMANCE OF LUCKY DUBE

The Great Lucky Dube

The fully air-conditioned bus carrying Lucky Dube, the famous South African-born reggae star, his manager, Mr. David Jacobs, and the entire musical group arrived at the premises of the festival at Linkeroever-Antwerp. 



There was another group playing on stage, and Lucky had to perform with them. He arrived on time. He sat in the bus for about thirty minutes, and suddenly he came down in a grey leather cap, covering his dreadlocks, a pair of blue jeans, and black shoes.

He went straight to the makeshift cafeteria and asked for some hot water. They couldn't provide him. He was directed to the next place. There, he had one for his tea. I followed him humbly and said, "Sir, I have an appointment to interview you." 

"Who did you ask for the interview?" Asked Lucky Dube, "Els please," I responded. Lucky identified the name immediately as the lady who has the program of all the artists who are performing at the festival on July 4th. "I will interview performing," Said Lucky. He went back into the bus.

I stood at the back of the stage for about thirty minutes, and Lucky came out again. This time, he has a different attire on, signifying that it is time to go and do what he likes best, to put up a musical show. 

In a long-sleeved light cotton black shirt and the same kind of material for the trousers, I followed him as he walked towards the platform. Lucky didn't walk straight to the platform. He grabbed one of the iron bars of the platform, holding it close to it and moving his body in gymnastic movements.

During the short period, Lucky did that, my instinct told me that he was praying before going on stage. He did it in a way that nobody could see or barely understand what he was doing. As he climbed up the stage, a thunderous scream of love, devotion, and happiness greeted him. 

He grabbed the microphone, and serious reggae business started. Lucky's Peter Tosh-style voice was like a magnet pulling everyone behind the stage to dance.

Lucky Dube Live -War and crime


He sang a couple of his old songs like "Money money money" taken from the album "Soul Taker," But things went differently 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 carry bands with bold inscriptions, "Lucky We Love You." "Lucky Dube, welcome to Antwerpen," etc. I have never seen this anywhere before.

Get a copy of 'The Passion Of Reggae And African Music' to know more about this great musician who was brutally killed because of his car. 
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ?