Dube became the best-selling artist in all of Africa during the 1980s and '90s, and gained popularity in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

His mother named him Lucky because he was born in poor health, but he survived. Although he began as an mbaqanga (traditional Zulu) music singer, Lucky Dube’s career boomed in 1987 when his third album, Slave, was released and let off massive hit singles: “Slave,” “I’ve Got You Babe,” and “Back to My Roots,” which led to a record breaking sold out performance in Johannesburg of over 50,000 people.

His 1989 album Prisoner sold over 100, 000 copies worldwide. His platinum double live album Captured Live outsold any international music. Since then Lucky and his band, Slave, performed all over the world. He was the first South African to perform at Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash (1991) and was called for a 25-minute encore! To date, Trinity (1995), with hit songs such as “Feel Irie,” “Trinity,” “Serious Reggae Business,” and “Puppet Master,” is one of his most requested albums and was released on Motown’s Tabu Records expanding Lucky Dube’s United States audience. He was the winner of the OKTV Award (South Africa) for Best Male Vocalist of the Year.

In 1996 Shanachie Records released Serious Reggae, featuring songs “Mr. DJ,” and an emotional cover of Foreigner’s “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” “Prisoner,” and “Slave” to name a few. Also Shanachie Records released Taxman in 1997. His latest albums Think About The Children/Rastas Never Die (2000) and Soul Taker (2001) were released on Gallo Records (South Africa). Lucky Dube released 21 albums. His last one was Respect (2006).

When asked what inspired him, Lucky humbly noted ? ?People! Looking at people, watching people?s movements, the things they do. My songs are all based on real life situations and experiences?.

Lucky Dube was killed by gunshot in front of his son and daughter, in Johannesburg, South Africa On October 18, 2007. According to a police report, the award-winning reggae star was murdered when he was attacked by a group of carjackers.

Lengane Ngeyethu (1981)

Kudala Ngikuncenga (1982)

Kukuwe (1983)

Abathakathi (1984)

Ngikwethembe Na (1985)

Umadakeni (1987)

Rastas Never Die (1984)

Think About The Children (1985)

Slave (1987)

Together As One (1988)

Prisoner (1989)

Captured Live (1990)

House of Exile (1991)

Victims (1993)

Trinity (Tabu Records/Motown, 1995)

Serious Reggae Business (Shanachie, 1996)

Taxman (Shanachie, 1997)

The Way It Is (Wrasse Records)

Soul Taker (Gallo Records, 2001)

Rough Guide to Lucky Dube (2001)

Soul Taker (2001)

The Other Side (2003)

Respect (2006)