Lucky and Jabu Skatana: The South African Pop Duo That Rocked the 80s
If you are a fan of South African pop music, you have probably heard of Lucky and Jabu Skatana. They were one of the most successful and influential duos in the 1980s, blending African rhythms, disco beats, and catchy melodies. Their songs were catchy, fun, and sometimes provocative, reflecting the social and political realities of their time. In this article, we will explore the story of Lucky and Jabu Skatana, from their humble beginnings to their rise to fame, from their challenges and controversies to their legacy.
The Early Years of Lucky and Jabu Skatana
Lucky Mbatha and Jabu Nkosi were both born in Soweto, a township near Johannesburg, in the late 1950s. They grew up in a musical environment, listening to local artists like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. They also enjoyed international pop stars like Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, and ABBA. They met in high school, where they formed a friendship based on their shared passion for music. They started singing together in school events and local clubs, experimenting with different genres and styles.
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They decided to pursue a career in music after finishing school, but they faced many obstacles. They had no formal training or education in music, they had no access to professional recording studios or equipment, they had no contacts or connections in the music industry. They had to rely on their talent, creativity, and perseverance to make their dreams come true. They recorded their first demo tape in a friend's garage, using a cheap keyboard, a drum machine, and a cassette recorder. They sent it to various record labels, hoping for a chance.
The Rise to Fame of Lucky and Jabu Skatana
Their luck changed when they caught the attention of Gallo Records, one of the biggest record companies in South Africa at the time. Gallo was impressed by their unique sound and style, and offered them a contract. They adopted the stage name Lucky and Jabu Skatana (Skatana means "knife" in Zulu), and started working on their debut album. They had access to better studios, equipment, and producers, but they maintained their artistic vision and integrity.
Their debut album Skatana was released in 1980, and it was an instant hit. It featured three songs that became classics: Skatana (a funky dance track), Funny (a romantic ballad), and Bambo (a disco anthem). The album sold over 100000 copies in South Africa alone (a rare feat for a local act), earning them gold status. It also received critical acclaim from both local and international media outlets. They were praised for their originality, versatility, and charisma.
They followed up with more albums in the next few years, such as Funny (1981), Bambo (1982), Limousine (1983), Chamber (1984), Untitled (1985), Don't Fall Down (1986), Untitled #2 (1987), Out The Challenges and Controversies of Lucky and Jabu Skatana
Despite their success and popularity, Lucky and Jabu Skatana faced many challenges and controversies in their career. They were living in a turbulent and oppressive era in South Africa, where the apartheid system was still in place. They had to deal with censorship, discrimination, violence, and poverty. They also had to cope with the pressure and expectations of being famous and influential.
One of the biggest challenges they faced was censorship. Their songs were often banned or edited by the government and the media, for being too political, too sexual, or too subversive. For example, their song Skatana was banned for its lyrics that implied resistance to the regime: "Skatana, skatana, we are not afraid of you / Skatana, skatana, we will cut you down". Their song Funny was banned for its suggestive video that showed them kissing and cuddling. Their song Bambo was banned for its reference to marijuana: "Bambo, bambo, we love you / Bambo, bambo, you make us happy". They had to find creative ways to circumvent the censorship, such as using metaphors, innuendos, or code words.
Another challenge they faced was discrimination. They were often treated as second-class citizens by the white-dominated society, who looked down on them for their race, culture, and music. They were denied access to certain venues, hotels, restaurants, and radio stations. They were harassed by the police and the military, who sometimes raided their concerts or arrested them for no reason. They were also discriminated by some of their fellow black South Africans, who accused them of being sell-outs, traitors, or collaborators. They had to fight for their dignity and rights, and prove themselves as worthy artists and human beings.
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A third challenge they faced was violence. They were living in a dangerous and unstable environment, where violence was rampant and unpredictable. They witnessed and experienced the brutality of the apartheid regime, which used force and terror to suppress the resistance movements. They also witnessed and experienced the violence of the anti-apartheid activists, who sometimes targeted them for being perceived as apolitical or pro-government. They also faced violence from criminals, rivals, or fans, who sometimes attacked them for money, fame, or jealousy. They had to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm, and cope with the trauma and loss.
A fourth challenge they faced was poverty. They came from poor backgrounds, and they struggled to make ends meet before they became famous. Even after they became famous, they did not earn much money from their music. They were exploited by their record label, who took most of their profits and royalties. They were also cheated by their managers, agents, lawyers, and accountants, who stole or mismanaged their money. They were also affected by piracy, which reduced their sales and income. They had to live frugally and wisely, and support their families and communities.
A fifth challenge they faced was conflict. They had personal and professional conflicts with each other, with their colleagues, and with their fans. They had different personalities, opinions, and ambitions, which sometimes clashed and caused friction. They had disagreements over their musical direction, their image, their contracts, and their finances. They had arguments over their personal lives, their relationships, their habits, and their values. They had disputes over their creative control, their recognition, their influence, and their legacy. They had to resolve their conflicts and maintain their friendship and partnership.
The Legacy of Lucky and Jabu Skatana
Despite all the challenges and controversies they faced, Lucky and Jabu Skatana left a lasting legacy in the South African pop music scene. They influenced many other artists who followed in their footsteps, such as Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Mandoza, Mafikizolo, Freshlyground, and Black Coffee. They contributed to the development and diversity of the South African pop culture, introducing new sounds, styles, and trends. They also represented the voice and spirit of the South African people, expressing their hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows.
Lucky and Jabu Skatana are still active in the music industry today, although they are not as popular or prolific as they used to be. They have released several albums in the past decades, such as Reunion (1990), Back to Basics (1995), Millennium (2000), Evolution (2005), Reflections (2010), and Celebration (2015). They have also performed in various concerts and festivals around the world, such as Live Aid (1985), Nelson Mandela's Birthday Concert (1988), World Cup Opening Ceremony (2010), and Africa Day Concert (2020). They have also received numerous awards and honors for their achievements and contributions, such as South African Music Awards (SAMA), Channel O Music Awards (COMA), MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), and Order of Ikhamanga (OIK).
Conclusion
Lucky and Jabu Skatana are one of the most iconic and influential pop duos in South Africa's history. They rose from humble beginnings to become stars in the 1980s, overcoming many obstacles and challenges along the way. They created memorable songs that captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans across the world. They left a lasting legacy that inspired many other artists and enriched the South African pop culture. They are still making music and performing today, proving that they are not only lucky but also talented.
If you want to learn more about Lucky and Jabu Skatana, or listen to their music, you can visit their official website , follow them on social media , or stream their songs on Spotify . You can also watch some of their videos on YouTube , or read some of their interviews on online magazines . You will not regret it!
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. Please share it with your friends and family who might be interested in Lucky and Jabu Skatana. And don't forget to leave a comment below with your thoughts and feedback. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Lucky and Jabu Skatana:
Are Lucky and Jabu Skatana married?
No, they are not married. They are just friends and musical partners. They have never been romantically involved with each other.
What is Lucky and Jabu Skatana's net worth?
According to some sources , Lucky and Jabu Skatana's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million each. However, this is not confirmed by them or their representatives.
What is Lucky and Jabu Skatana's latest album?
Their latest album is Celebration, which was released in 2015. It features 12 songs that celebrate their 35 years of friendship and music.
What is Lucky and Jabu Skatana's most popular song?
It is hard to say which one is their most popular song, as they have many hits that appeal to different audiences. However, some of their most well-known songs are Skatana, Funny, Bambo, Limousine, and Chamber.
Where can I buy Lucky and Jabu Skatana's albums?
You can buy their albums online from various platforms, such as Amazon , iTunes , or Google Play . You can also buy their CDs or vinyls from local or online stores, such as Musica , Takealot , or Discogs .
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