Starting out in 1963 with the group Bob Marley & The Wailers, he forged a distinctive song-writing and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.
After The Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which established his worldwide reputation and became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million albums and singles.
Bob Marley was a member of this Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became the leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene.
Now considered a "Rasta" prophet, Marley's adoption of the characteristic Rastafarian dreadlocks and famous use of marijuana as a sacred sacrament in the late sixties were an integral part of his persona. He is said to have entered every performance proclaiming the divinity of Jah Rastafari.
A few months before his death, Marley was baptised into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and took the name Berhane Selassie (meaning the Light of the Holy Trinity in Amharic).
His best known songs are a mixture of reggae, Roots Reggae, and rhythm and blues, which include:
I Shot the Sheriff
Exodus
Could You Be Loved
Redemption Song
No Woman, No Cry
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Is This Love
One Love
Stir It Up
Jammin'
Get Up, Stand Up
His posthumous album Legend (1984) became the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 12 million copies.
Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994; in December 1999, his album “Exodus” (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC.
Awards and Honors:
1976 - Rolling Stone Magazine's "Band of the Year"
1978 - United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World
1981 - Jamaican Order of Merit
1994 - The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
1999 - Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century
2001 - Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2001- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (#11)
2006 - The United Kingdom's "Blue Plaque"
2006 - Bob Marley Boulevard named in Brooklyn, New York
2010 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame (Catch A Fire)
2012 - August the 7th, proclamed Bob Marley Day (Los Angeles)
2013 - GRAMMY Tribute Performance
Marley tragically died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981.
Religion:
Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, (not rastafaranism as that is seen as a derogortory term as Rasta's don't like being refered to as an ism) whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae music in Jamaica. Rastas belive they are outcast from their native Zion and looked on Ethiopia as their real home and Tafarai Makonnen, who took the title Haile Sellasie I(Power of the Holy Trinity in Amharic), after he became the emperor of Ethiopia, as their leader. Rastas belive H.I.M. is Jesus in flesh. Rastas are considered to be black Jews.
Rastas claim their root from King Solomon and Abbysinian queen of Sheba, through lineage of their son Menelik, emperor of Abbysinia. H.I.M. is said to be a direct decendant of Menelik. 'Ras' means Head and 'Tafarai" means Creator. 'Jah' is the shortened form of the Hebrew word Jehovah. Rastas belive in one truth and that is the truth of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie I, King of kings, Lord of lords, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, two hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of the three thousand year old Ethiopian empire, elect of Jah, Light of the world. Jah Rastafari live out. Rastas preach a non-materialistic, egalitarian way of life. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Bob Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica on November 4, 1980.
Diet:
Marley's diet was ital; fruit, vegetables and fish; which is food approved by the Rastafari movement.
Family:
Bob Marley had 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.
His children are, in order of birth:
Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963, to Cheryl Murray;
Sharon, born November 23, 1964, to Rita in previous relationship;
Cedella born August 23, 1967, to Rita;
David "Ziggy Marley", born October 17, 1968, to Rita;
Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, to Rita;
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972, to Pat Williams;
Rohan, born May 19, 1972, to Janet Hunt;
Karen, born 1973 to Janet Bowen;
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974; according to Cedella Booker she was the daughter of Rita and a man called Ital with whom Rita had an affair; nonetheless she was acknowledged as Bob's daughter;
Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975, to Lucy Pounder;
Ky-Mani Marley, born February 26, 1976, to Anita Belnavis;
Damian Marley, born July 21, 1978, to Cindy Breakspeare;
Makeda, born May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton.
See here for comedian Bob Marley the comedian: Comedian Bob Marley
Album 04 Them Belly Full But Them Hungry
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A hungry mob is an angry mob
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
A pot a cook but the food no 'nough
You're gonna dance to Jah music, dance
We're gonna dance to Jah music, dance
Forget your sorrows and dance
Forget your sickness and dance
Forget your weakness and dance
Cost of livin' gets so high
Rich and poor they start to cry
Now the weak must get strong
They say oh, what a tribulation
Them belly full but we hungry
A hungry mob is an angry mob
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
A pot a cook but you no 'nough
We're gonna chuck to Jah music chuckin'
We're chuckin' to Jah music, we're chuckin'
Belly full but them hungry
A hungry mob is an angry mob
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
A pot a cook but the food no 'nough
A hungry man is an angry man
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
A pot a cook but the food no 'nough
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
A pot a cook but the food no 'nough
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Them Belly Full But Them Hungry" address issues of poverty, social injustice, and the frustration that arises from hunger and lack of basic needs. The first verse speaks about a situation where people have eaten enough to fill their bellies, yet remain hungry. This is followed by the chorus, where the singer encourages the listeners to forget their troubles and dance to Jah music as a way of coping with their difficulties.
The second verse addresses the high cost of living, which affects both the rich and poor, and leads to a situation where even the weak must become strong in order to survive. The final verse returns to the image of the belly that is full but still hungry, suggesting that this is a common condition for many people. Overall, the song highlights the tension between the haves and have-nots in society and the need for greater equality and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Them belly full but we hungry
Even though we have eaten, we are still hungry and unsatisfied.
A hungry mob is an angry mob
When people are hungry, they become desperate and will resort to violence.
A rain a fall but the dirt it tough
Although it is raining, the ground is hard and difficult to work with.
A pot a cook but the food no 'nough
Despite cooking food, there is still not enough for everyone to eat.
Forget your troubles and dance
Take a break from your problems and dance to the music.
Forget your sorrows and dance
Stop dwelling on your sadness and dance.
Forget your sickness and dance
Don't let your illness stop you from enjoying the music and dancing.
Forget your weakness and dance
Even if you feel weak or vulnerable, dance and let the music empower you.
Cost of livin' gets so high
The cost of basic goods and services is becoming increasingly expensive.
Rich and poor they start to cry
Both wealthy and impoverished individuals are affected by high living costs and are suffering.
Now the weak must get strong
Those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged must find ways to become stronger in order to survive.
They say oh, what a tribulation
People are saddened by the difficulties and struggles they are experiencing.
We're gonna chuck to Jah music chuckin'
We will dance joyfully to the music of Jah.
Belly full but them hungry
Even though they have eaten, they are still hungry.
A hungry man is an angry man
When someone is starving, they can become angry and irritable.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.,
Written by: CARLTON BARRETT, LECON COGIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tommyhaynes9157
This is the best live show on youtube
@charleschimfwembe5528
This song is more relevant to today than when it was played. Bob was ahead of time.
@candycakes7921
True 💯💯💯
@inyangeffiong2036
Of d truth!
@gajayjay
This song hits harder than ever in 2020. Eventually the meek shall inherit the earth. Desperation knows no cost.
@Ladyblogtest
History repeats itself. 2024 and this song is very relevant. 😢
@thehumbleone6606
The drums, ... OMG!!!
Carlton Barrett, may your soul rest in peace!
@lopo1435
Dat guy is incredible
He neva misses a beat
@AzAz-wr1te
@@lopo1435 .
غغدغ
@user-js9xy3hj5m
He was the best....he shoot the druming....no one drume like carlton