IN MEMORY OF THE MUSICAL LEGEND, A SMALL TRIBUTE TO LUCKY DUBE (THE “SONG BIRD”)

“Nobody can stop reggae because it's strong”

Lucky Dube left a permanent change in my life with his song “Going back to my root” few years ago. It's a shame I never had the chance to buy him a cold 'star beer' or attend one of his high-octane concert performances. One may ask why am I now paying my tribute. Folks, I do so now because it is quite hard to accept as true that this fine gentleman is gone with all his attributes and golden voice.

Lucky Dube the “songsmith” and what was seen by some as a replica of the legendary Peter Tosh did not live long enough to acquire a rich text biography. Like his mentor Peter Tosh, Dube was gunned down senselessly by bandits who have low price for life. By their action, they have robbed Africa of a voice of reason and a pillar of moral authority. As a gung-ho fan, the death of Dube is still hard to comprehend. One wonders whether he is actually dead most especially after playing one of his songs. Lucky's music is so close to the heart of many reggae fans and those who love philosophical thoughts. Each one of his songs brings back a lot of memory.

With his turbo-charged rhythm and bird like voice, his music is able to keep dancers on the dancing floor at any given moment. Even those who cannot dance have no choice but to tap their toes to the beat. Those who are unable to dance or tap their toes struggle to memorize the words that are in each composition.

My personal encounter with Lucky started when he was gaining international stature. I bumped into his music by accident. Indeed, mine was an accident because I only casually visited a record store to buy a good danceable reggae album for a party. Remember, I'm talking about back in the days when Cassette Discs (CD) were in their infancy, -- where only the rich could afford them. There were not many songs on the CD format. Well, I kept searching until I discovered one of the Dube's albums. I sought the store keeper's permission to allow me test -drive it before I could make up my mind. He played a few of the songs and, since then I got hooked and addicted to Dube's tunes as do by drug addicts particularly those on cocaine. That night needless to say, the party was kept alive by Dube's music. People couldn't sit down. When the song “Going back to my root” was played there was virtually no room to swing a cat. Subsequently, the song became very popular like an anthem of a football - tournament hosting country.

Lucky Dube's music had broken sound barriers and music meter chats across Africa and the reggae music world.

It's too early to tell if anyone, including his band members can fit into his big musical shoes. For some reasons, Africa musicians normally have very high life expectancy. They are like teachers; their longevity rate is much higher than the rest of the population. If you think I am over exaggerating pause and count your teachers who taught you at the secondary or better still at the primary school. How many have you found dead? So you see, teachers live much longer than other professionals. Perhaps it is about the time we research into the cause of this' blessing' which is secretly enjoyed by teachers. Could it be that they do not have the opportunity to “chop” anyone's money so they receive only few curses from the public they serve? Is it possible that the proverbial slogan that “teachers' reward is in heaven” now manifests here on earth?

Anyway, if Lucky Dube were alive we would have enjoyed many good years of his kind of music. Too bad he didn't live long enough to give the world more music. But, he surely touched every soul that listened and continues to listen to his music.

I have the feeling that Dube has much international attraction than when he was alive. It is amazing; good deeds are noticeable when the authors of those deeds are dead. Christ the son of Joseph and Mary suffered same in the hands of his own people. Kwame Nkrumah who was nominated as Africa's best personality for the last millennium won his title while in the grave at the Arts Center, Accra.

Lucky Dube will be missed by this generation. But, I am not quite sure if the next generation would hold on to his music. Nevertheless, I am hopeful he will resurrect in another form from one of the slums in Africa --Kibera in Kenya, Sodom and Gomorah in Ghana, Ajegule in Nigeria, Dares Salam of Sudan or Soweto in South of Africa. The reincarnated or the carbon copy of Dube should not be a surprised to anyone as Lucky's songs bore many fruits which won the admiration of fans of different shades and kinds.
I have every album and musical videos of his. I guess many people around the world have many of his albums too.

“Nobody can stop reggae” Dube is gone but reggae will remain. His messages will forever be told and re- told.

We're all going to miss his unique and gifted voice.
May the Soul of the Legend Rest in Peace.

Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi
NJ, USA
*The writer is a social commentator and a founder of the Adu-Gyamfi Youth empowerment, educational and apprenticeship Foundation for the youth of Asuom.