| Victims | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Lucky Dube |
| Cover: | Victims (Lucky Dube album).jpg |
| Released: | 1993 |
| Genre: | Reggae |
| Label: | Shanachie[1] |
| Producer: | Richard Siluma, Simon Law |
| Prev Title: | House of Exile |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Trinity |
| Next Year: | 1995 |
Victims is an album by the South African musician Lucky Dube, released in 1993.[2] [3] It has sold more than a million copies.[4] Lucky Dube supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
The album was produced by Richard Siluma and Simon Law.[6] The title track, about black-on-black crime, references Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".[7] [8] "Keep On Knocking" is about the love of a mother for her child.[9] Lucky Dube based his lyrics on the experiences of real people, rather than news coverage of political events.[10] Lucky Dube used a horn section and emphasized a more rock guitar style.[11] Lucky Dube's backing band, the Slaves, performed on Victims.[12]
The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "Lucky Dube's buttery baritone, Rasta preacher vibe and relaxed old-style groove will come as a delight to fans of the classic Wailers records." The Chicago Tribune noted that the album "mixes Jamaican and African influences with a sharply modern pop-oriented approach."[13] The Tampa Tribune called it "an appealing blend of solid, grooving music with a concern for the plight of the oppressed."[14]
The Gazette determined that "the singer's studio delivery always seems less fiery, less passionate ... that has never been truer than on his latest release."[15] The Boston Globe stated that "smooth horns and a myriad of percussion instruments keep things moving seamlessly as Dube tackles his usual themes of oppression, racism and liberation in the spiritual and physical sense."[16] The Boston Herald concluded that Lucky Dube's "range of material—from heart-wrenching groovers to tough-minded reggae-rockers—and vivid arrangements make this album a contemporary roots reggae treasure."[17] The Columbus Dispatch included Victims on its list of the best albums of 1993.[18]
AllMusic wrote that the album "manages to ease him into a lighter, more commercial setting without diluting his message or sound."