Editor’s note: It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Lucky Dube in Johannesburg, South Africa. The following story appeared immediately after his tragic death. Since that time pieces have been aired on CNN, NPR, MSN and in countless other daily newspapers around the globe attesting to his signficance as a reggae artist and symbol of freedom.

source: Reuters

JOHANNESBURG – Gunmen shot and killed South African reggae star Lucky Dube in front of his children in one of the country’s highest-profile murders, uniting political rivals to call for action against violent crime.

Dube, 43, was killed in an apparent carjacking attempt on Thursday evening and police were searching for three suspects, police spokesman Eugene Opperman said.

“They allegedly tried to take his vehicle, but then shots were fired and he was fatally wounded,” Opperman said.

The murder of South Africa’s biggest-selling reggae singer cast a shadow over the national mood a day before the country’s rugby union team face England in the final of the World Cup.

Some callers to radio stations said the South African team, known as the Springboks, should play wearing black armbands.

South African President Thabo Mbeki said his countrymen should fight crime together.

“Even as we prepare to celebrate the victory of the Springboks we must also grieve the death of an outstanding South African and indeed make a commitment that we shall continue to act together as a people to confront this terrible scourge of crime, which has taken the lives of too many of our people — and does so every day,” he said.

Opposition political parties and the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) condemned the killing.

“Urgent and extraordinary measures need to be taken to stop violent crimes once and for all,” the ANC Youth League said in a statement.

Crime ‘out of control’ The opposition Democratic Alliance said the murder showed crime was out of control in South Africa.

“The circumstances surrounding his murder again illustrate that violent crime in South Africa is out of control, and that the government’s remedies to address this scourge have failed,” DA parliamentary leader Sandra Botha said.

South Africa has one of the world’s worst murder rates. The murder rate jumped 2.4 percent between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2007, with 19,202 murders in the period. The number of rapes, carjackings and assaults are also high.

Opperman said the singer was attacked shortly after 2 p.m. EDT in Johannesburg’s Rossettenville suburb. Police earlier said he was dropping his son off when the attack took place.

Dube recorded more than 20 albums in his career and won over 20 awards locally and internationally. His first album, released in 1984 with the title “Rastas Never Die,” was banned by the country’s apartheid government.

Dube’s record company said the murder was senseless.

“Lucky wasn’t just big in South Africa, he was big in Africa and the rest of the world where he had a huge fan base. He was a fantastic ambassador for South African music, because he was always out there promoting South African music and reggae music around the world,” said Gallo Music Chief Executive Officer Ivor Haarburger.

During his career he performed across the world and shared the stage with musicians such as Sinead O’Connor, Peter Gabriel and Sting.

Paul Boateng, Britain’s ambassador to South Africa, told Talk Radio 702 he was shocked by Dube’s death. “Both my wife and I are big fans … It is a great loss to music internationally.”

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Remembering Lucky Dube – In Song and Word

By RE Ausetkmt – BadGalsRadio / The RawRootsPodcast 10/19/2007 –

BadGalsRadio Daily Blog

The Shot that caused the Murder of Lucky Dube’ has resounded around
the globe a billion times..

We all awoke from a slumber this morning to find the horrible
truth, splashed on the pages of global news sources from Johannesburg
S.AF to Jackson MI; “Lucky Dube Murdered in a Car Jacking”.

How, Why and What Twisted Logic could craft this terrible and dreadful
news; about one of Reggae’s Prophetic Warriors ? a Carjacking ? a
Bloody Carjacking took away Our Prince of Peace and Love ?? How could
it be so ?? who could be so brazenly stupid as to strip away one of
the most beautiful voices in the world of South African Music ???

To Kill Him, but to Kill Him In Front of His Children – Who Could BE
This Savage ?

Certainly not one of his global fans; people from every walk of life
and location. Brotha Lucky had risen from the same toughness that
claimed his last night..But He Had Risen.

In our efforts to try to make sense of this tragedy, we offer you
Global News Coverage; Videos; Profiles; Extended Play on http://badgals-radio.com/BadGalsRadio and a Podcast of some of the hits that Lucky Blessed Us With..

Click to listen to the Remembering Lucky Dube podcast Remembering Lucky Dube – In Song and Word

Please Be Sure to Send a Condolence Email to his family (see below) – and to visit his website to see the glorious life and legend that shall always
remain for us, of Ras Lucky Dube’

May Jah Rastafari Have Peace and Rest for His Soul.

http://badgals-radio.com/rip-lucky-dube-pod.mp3

In Honor of Lucky Dube’s Tremendous Body of Work this podcast
includes such hits as :

* Remember Me
* Rasta Man’s Prayer
* Crazy World
* Prisoner
* Release Me
* Don’t Cry
* The Way It Is
* My World
* Feel Irie
* Reggae Strong
* I’ve Got Jah
* Mama Africa by Peter Tosh Live
* Khulilelia – Lucky Did this one Live in Jamaica
LUCKY DUBE’S RECORD LABEL, GALLO MOURNS HIS TRAGIC LOSS

source: www.luckydubemusic.com

The staff of Gallo Record Company are devastated by the news of the tragic passing of reggae legend Lucky Dube. Lucky was slain in an attempted hijacking in Rosettenville in Johannesburg last night, at approximately 8pm, whilst dropping off his children at a family member’s house.

Although Lucky attempted to escape the scene, he had been fatally wounded from the hijacker’s attempt to steal his motor vehicle, and he died almost instantly.
Senseless and random, the death of Lucky Dube leaves a great void in the music industry, as 25 years of music suddenly ends in tragedy.

South African born but globally revered, Lucky Dube was one of the country’s most toured and beloved artists ever. His music touched millions around the world, primarily through his 22 recorded albums – in Zulu, English and even Afrikaans – many of which have been record breakers with phenomenal sales from around the globe.

As a frontline artist in the reggae genre, Lucky’s creativity and inventiveness kept growing.
Compelling in his musicianship and intriguing in his lyrical content, Lucky’s sonic daring to take his genre to new heights never failed to amaze even the most ardent fans, whilst reigning in new devotees to his magic every day.

His energetic band toured with him from continent to continent as South African musical ambassadors, and his live performances have earned him fans and accolades the world over.

Lucky joined Teal Records (later to become Gallo) as a fresh-faced young Mbaqanga singer in 1982. Five albums later he found a genre that spoke to his soul and changed the way he viewed the world. This genre was Reggae.

With his long-time sound engineer and best friend Dave Segal, he created some of the most legendary pieces of reggae music ever recorded, including the tracks Prisoner, Taxman, Slave, Victims, Together As One and Respect – all social anthems that garnered him the adoration of the people of his country – and across the globe.
Lucky was an artist that continued to break international barriers and recently just signed a deal with Warner Music International, securing him album releases across Europe of his latest album Respect.

Ivor J. Haarburger, CEO of Gallo Music Group is deeply saddened by the loss. “Lucky was not just an extraordinary artist, he was a personal friend. We go back over twenty years and had both a business and personal relationship. It’s so sad to lose such a great friend and so tragically, why?”

There are very few words that capture the magnitude of this devastating loss. As a musician, father and colleague, Lucky was one of the most charming, respected, selfless and dedicated people to have lived. He will be sorely missed.

Lucky Dube was survived by his new wife Zanele and his 7 children Bongi, Nonkululeko, Thokozani, Laura, Siyanda, Philani and his brand new three-month old baby Melokuhle.