Meet Chris Lucky: South Sudan’s Rising Superstar

Chris Lucky, known offstage as Christopher Tambura, is making waves as one of South Sudan’s most promising superstars. A talented dancer and vocalist, his journey to fame has been far from easy.

In an interview with Dawn Newspaper, Chris Lucky shared insights into his challenges, personal growth, and the songs that have resonated with many.

Awan Achiek, a reporter for Dawn Newspaper, sat down with Chris Lucky to discuss his musical journey.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

Can you take us through your music journey? How did you become a musician?

My music journey started when I was very young. I knew from the beginning that I could do music. My musical talent began to develop when I became one of the best dancers and vocalists at church. I was later promoted to youth leader and secretary at the church.

When did you join the music industry, and who inspired you to become a musician?

I joined the South Sudan music industry in 2020 with my first song titled ‘Ita Wen.’ I was inspired by many artists in South Sudan, most of whom were the greatest of that time, including WJ the King, CJ Oman, Gordon Kong, Emmy J, Tasha K, and Smigo. I have learned a lot from them.

What is the story behind your brand name?

My Christian name is Christopher, and my home name is Tambua, which means “thanks.” When I was born, my father named me Tambua, thanking God for giving him his firstborn son.

I divided the name into two parts: Chris is the short form of Christopher, and Tambua means “thanks to God.” My parents were so lucky to have a baby boy, so I decided to name my brand “Chris Lucky,” also known as Man-Lucky.

How many albums do you have?

Currently, I have five albums, apart from unreleased ones.

Which was the first concert you ever performed in, and whom did you perform with?

I have performed in many concerts in South Sudan, including the Oma Le concert at Freedom Hall. I also performed at Ruggar’s concert, Alijoma’s concert, Hardlife, and many more.

What do you enjoy most about being a musician, and why?

What I enjoy most about being a musician is when I release a new song and my fans love it. I appreciate it when my songs have an impact on people or influence them because I am not singing for myself; I sing messages of peace and love.

I make sure my content relieves people of their stress. There is something I have come to realise about being a musician: we need cooperation, confidence, commitment, social skills, and communication to make our fans happy. Music is not just about entertaining fans; we sing to make a difference in people’s lives.

Tell us about your best and worst performance.

Regarding my best performance, I truly feel the vibe I give out. As an artist, it is essential to understand your fans and what they enjoy. The worst performance occurs when an organiser arranges a concert but fails to sell out tickets; an artist may end up performing to just a few people, and no artist can bear this situation.

What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?

My biggest problem is a lack of capital. If I had more capital, I would like to have my own resources, such as video and audio productions, as well as my own music equipment.

If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be, and what plans do you have to change the industry?

We can change the music industry if we have enough capital and connections. To develop the music industry, we need support; we must support upcoming talents and train them, or empower them with skills on how to use music equipment.

We need to teach them how to set up and prepare for live band production. High-quality songs can change the image of the industry. There is a need for soft sound engineering and vocal training.

With dancers and management vocalists, all of this can transform the music industry in South Sudan in a short time, and that is one of my dreams. Additionally, I would like to establish a music school where children can be trained in music free of charge.

What is the role of the musician in peacebuilding?

Musicians play a variety of roles in peacebuilding. They sing songs that unite people. Many musicians serve as educators or instructors who convey peace messages through music.

What is one message that you would like to give to your fans?

My message to all artists who are currently making music and those who plan to join the industry is to work hard for themselves.

The support will get you ahead . Don’t depend on others to help you; you need to have something to start making music. Be kind to people, no matter what.

Always remember to produce songs that carry strong messages—songs that motivate people and make them happy—and, most importantly, love what you are doing. To my beloved countrymen, kindly support your local artists and encourage them to improve their music.