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
Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
I mean it, when I analyze the stench
To me, it makes a lot of sense
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
Buffalo Soldier, in the heart of America
If you know your history
Then you would know where you coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
Who the heck do I think I am
I'm just a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Said he was fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Win the war for America
Said he, woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Buffalo Soldier, troddin' through the land woah
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Troddin' through the land, yeah, yeah
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Win the war for America
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Driven from the mainland
To the heart of the Caribbean
Singing, woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Troddin' through San Juan
In the arms of America
Troddin' through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier" is a song that tells the story of the African slaves who were brought to America to fight as soldiers, and their struggle for freedom and survival. The song starts by acknowledging the role of African slaves in American history, describing them as "Buffalo Soldiers" and "dreadlock Rastas." The Buffalo Soldiers were African-American and Afro-Caribbean soldiers who fought in the American West after the Civil War, while the dreadlock Rastas were followers of the Rastafarian religion, which originated in Jamaica.
Marley then delves deeper into the history of these soldiers, describing how they were taken from Africa and forced to fight in America, where they had to fight for their survival. He explains that this experience explains their unique perspective on life, which is the "stench" that he refers to in the lyrics. He then asks the listener to consider their own history and identity, suggesting that we should all understand where we come from in order to understand ourselves.
The song ends by celebrating the strength and resilience of the Buffalo Soldiers, who were driven from the mainland to the heart of the Caribbean, but still fought for their freedom and survival. Marley acknowledges their struggle and courage, ultimately positioning them as heroes who should be remembered and celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
The singer is a black man with dreadlocks; he was brought from Africa to America and is emblematic of a particular historical experience.
There was a Buffalo Soldier
Referring to a person, who, like many Africans, was kidnapped and taken as a slave to America.
In the heart of America
The individual is now living in the United States.
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Refers to the transatlantic slave trade during which black people were abducted and taken from their homes in Africa to America.
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The individual arrived in America as a slave and had to fight for their life.
I mean it, when I analyze the stench
The rotten smell of slavery represents the inhumanity behind it.
To me, it makes a lot of sense
The reasoning for the slavery is shameful, and cannot be excused.
How the dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley links the black identity of the artist with his African heritage.
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Reiterating that the individual has an African heritage as a result of being removed from his home.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
The artist identifies himself as a Buffalo Soldier who is Jamaican and part of the Rastafarian culture.
If you know your history
If one understands the historical background of slavery.
Then you would know where you coming from
One would know their ancestral history if they studied the history of slavery.
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
Asking Bob Marley about the personal history of the singer wouldn't be necessary if one studied the history of slavery.
Who the heck do I think I am
Bob Marley asks rhetorically who he is regarding the main character.
I'm just a Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley shows solidarity with the singer, highlighting his Jamaican and Rastafarian heritage.
Said he was fighting on arrival
The artist had to fight for his life as soon as he arrived in America.
Fighting for survival
He needed to fight to stay alive in order to survive.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Repeating the identity of the singer, a Buffalo Soldier.
Win the war for America
Despite being brought to America against his will, the singer fought to help America.
Said he, woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
A Jamaican expression of sadness.
Buffalo Soldier, troddin' through the land woah
The artist is figuratively walking through the land.
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
The artist is expressing the idea that if he were to try to run away, someone would try to capture him.
Troddin' through the land, yeah, yeah
The singer continues his journey walking through America.
Driven from the mainland
The artist was taken from the continent of Africa.
To the heart of the Caribbean
He was taken to the Caribbean.
Singing, woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Expressing sadness again.
Troddin' through San Juan
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is where the singer walked to.
In the arms of America
The artist is still in America.
Troddin' through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
The artist arrives at his eventual destination of Jamaica.
Driven from the mainland
Still repeating the idea of being taken from Africa as a slave.
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Just as the singer had to fight to survive in America, he had to keep fighting once he arrived in Jamaica.
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
Repeating the identity of the artist as a Buffalo Soldier and Rastafarian.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Marley, Noel Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
İsmail Hakkı Akbarlas
always life
Jason Lee Fabria
hai nako
Ada Sabaini
UNICO
Maycom Sousa
e nois na eva
Myléne Carlin
j'aimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmme trop
Jimboy Berco Palingcod
i like you?
Sylvia Wiley
LOVE THIS GUY,,,HE WAS A GREAT SINGER, MISS HIS SONGS
Jean Pierre Guerin
bob Marley coule notre epoque a nous dans nos coeur a jamais.
Diogo Viveiros
Brazil best bob reggae music
Fabiola Sagasty
Maravillosa musica.