Johannesburg – Gallo Music is preparing to mark its 100th anniversary in February 2026, and the legacy of the late South African reggae star Lucky Dube remains at the centre of the celebrations. The label confirmed that Dube continues to hold the record as its highest-selling artist, nearly two decades after his death.
The announcement was made by Kwelagobe Sekele, Gallo’s Head of Synch, Curation and Playlists, who described Dube as one of the label’s most defining musicians. His name stands alongside other giants whose careers took shape under Gallo such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela.
Dube rose to continental prominence in 1996 when he received the Best Selling African Musician award at the World Music Awards. His catalogue, which spans more than 20 albums released between 1981 and 2006, continues to draw listeners across generations in Eswatini and beyond. The musician was killed in October 2007, a loss that sent shockwaves through the region, but his work remains widely streamed and purchased.
Gallo itself began operating in 1926 after Eric Gallo established the company in Johannesburg. It grew from a small recording outfit into one of the most influential music companies in Africa. Sekele notes that the label’s extensive archive reflects the past 100 years of African music development, containing songs and music videos across genres, eras and regions.
He describes the catalogue as vast enough to serve researchers, collectors, students and everyday listeners seeking to trace the continent’s musical evolution. According to him, Gallo’s digitisation drive has continued to unearth rare recordings while preserving classic works for modern digital platforms.
As part of its centenary plans, the label is curating playlists, marking major album anniversaries, recognising artists’ birthdays and exploring collaborations through film placements and remixes.
Gallo’s history also carries lessons about artist rights. One of its earliest stars, Solomon Linda, composed the original Mbube in the late 1930s while working at the company. Although the song sold about 100000 copies locally by 1948, Linda received only a small payment for the rights. The track later inspired Peter Seeger’s Wimoweh and eventually The Lion Sleeps Tonight, which became a global hit through Disney’s Lion King franchise.
His family, supported by Gallo, took legal action in the 2000s to seek compensation for the song’s unauthorised use abroad. Sekele says the case remains a reminder of the importance of fair contracts, copyright protection and responsible rights management.
He adds that the label has adapted to the digital era, shifting away from physical formats and focusing on ensuring that artists benefit from modern revenue models. This includes preparing musicians for rapid changes in technology, from music streaming trends to developments linked to artificial intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Gallo is currently building its own music technology systems to support creators while safeguarding their artistic voice.
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