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
Exodus
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Movement of Jah people, oh oh oh, yeah
Men and people will fight ya down (tell me why)
When ya see Jah light. (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Let me tell you if you're not wrong (then, why?)
Everything is all right
So we gonna walk, all right, through de roads of creation
(Trod through great tribulation) trod through great tribulation
Exodus, all right, movement of Jah people
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, all right
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah, well
Uh, open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied (with the life you're living) uh
We know where we're going, uh
We know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon
We're going to our Father lan
Two, three, four exodus, movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
(Movement of Jah people) send us another brother Moses
(Movement of Jah people) from across the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people) send us another brother Moses
(Movement of Jah people) from across the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
Exodus, all right, oh, oh, oh
Movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
Exodus
Exodus, all right
Exodus, now, now, now, now
Exodus
Exodus, oh, yeah
Exodus
Exodus, all right
Exodus
Move, move, move, move, move, move
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going
We know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, y'all
We're going to our Father's land
Exodus, all right, movement of Jah people
Exodus, movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Move, move, move, move, move, move, move
Jah come to break down pression
Rule equality
Wipe away transgression
Set the captives free
Exodus, all right, all right
Movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh, now, now, now, now
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Movement of Jah people
Move, move, move, move, move, move, uh-uh-uh-uh
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move(ment of Jah people)
Move
"Exodus," a song by Bob Marley, is an anthem for the movement of Jah's people. The lyrics speak about the purposeful travel of Jah people to reach their Fathers land to escape Babylon, the place of corruption and oppression. These lyrics are a central theme in Marley's messages, which advocated for equality, love, and respect for one another. The opening lines of the song emphasize that people will fight against you when they recognize God's light within you. However, if you are not doing anything wrong, then everything will be alright. The Jah people will walk through the roads of creation and trod through great tribulations.
The chorus of the song repeats "Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah," signifying the removal of God's people from slavery and oppression. Marley sings of another Moses, the same Moses that led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt, leading Jah people from Babylon to their long-awaited freedom. The lyrics encourage people to open their eyes, look within, and examine their lives. People need to recognize that they are not satisfied with Babylon, the place of corruption and oppression. They know where they are going, they know where they are from, and they will keep moving towards the Fatherland.
Line by Line Meaning
Exodus
The movement of the people of Jah (God) towards liberation and salvation
Movement of Jah people, oh oh oh, yeah
Jah people are moving forward towards a better future with God leading the way
Men and people will fight ya down (tell me why)
People who fear change will try to stop the movement, causing conflict
When ya see Jah light. (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
When people see the truth that God is guiding them towards, they'll realize the value of following the movement
Let me tell you if you're not wrong (then, why?)
Everything is all right
If you're doing what's right, then there's no need to worry, everything will be fine
So we gonna walk, all right, through de roads of creation
We will confidently move forward on the path of creating a better world
We the generation (tell me why)
(Trod through great tribulation) trod through great tribulation
We, the current generation, have been through challenges, but we keep moving forward despite it all, towards freedom and progress
Yeah-yeah-yeah, well
Uh, open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied (with the life you're living) uh
Reflect on your life and ask yourself if you're happy with where you are and what you're doing
We know where we're going, uh
We know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon
We're going to our Father land
We have a clear sense of purpose and direction, we're leaving oppression (symbolized by Babylon) and moving towards salvation (represented by our Father's land)
Two, three, four exodus, movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
(Movement of Jah people) send us another brother Moses
(Movement of Jah people) from across the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people) send us another brother Moses
(Movement of Jah people) from across the Red Sea
(Movement of Jah people)
The movement needs leaders like Moses who will lead us to our liberation and salvation, and we're ready to welcome them from anywhere
Jah come to break down pression
Rule equality
Wipe away transgression
Set the captives free
God has come to break down oppression, bring about equality, eliminate wrongdoing, and free those who are enslaved
Move, move, move, move, move, move, uh-uh-uh-uh
Move(ment of Jah people)
The movement is constantly moving forward, pushing through barriers and obstacles
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trudykroll7429
2024 and beyond. Uncle Bob will live through the ages like all of Gods prophets! Name shall span thousands of years. ❤❤❤
@thechicantique4567
Who else is here because Johnny is playing this as he arrives at court? #teamjohnnyforever ❤❤❤
@sandeshps8455
Me
@thechicantique4567
@LOKII 🔥🔥🔥🔥🎯
@matthewlane458
Nope. Had no idea. I'm here because it's a genius track.
@kathleencraig3077
I saw him in concert in 1978 in Ann Arbor MI. Amazing concert...he was throwing splifs into the audience. His message is purely humanitarian. He's a wonderful human being.
@anthonyinsani9914
❤💚💙
@zejuniorsigauque
you saw him ??? yoooooooooooooo.... i woul like too
@alcatelseven7355
Was Peter Tosh there?
@BigWheel.
@Alcatel Seven Peter Tosh is such an underrated artist, you have good taste!