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 βExodusβ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song βOne Loveβ 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
Jammin'
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We jammin' (Bob Marley, Bob Marley)
I wanna jam it with you
We jammin' (Bob Marley, Bob Marley)
I hope you like jammin' too
[Bob Marley]
In rows or around, we can jam it anyhow
Everyday we pay the price, with a livin' sacrafice
Jammin' 'til the jam is through
[Bob Marley]
We jammin', to think that jammin' was a thing of the past
We jammin and I hope the jam is gonna last
[MC Lyte]
We jammin' on the for the daughters and sons
The struggle is not over until the battle is won
Hip-Hop is life but it ain't all to me
Now where would we be if they take our mics from we.
Or better yet strip on might itself
We done it before so I sit by the door
Those that claim but don't really know the game
Bob Marley, learn the man behind the name
[Bob Marley]
Oh Holy Mount Zion
Oh Holy Mount Zion
Oh Holy Mount Zion
Oh Holy Mount Zion
We see it in Mount Zion
And Rules all creation
[Bob Marley]
Were jammin' [Repeats]
Hope you like jammin' to [Repeats]
[MC Lyte]
J-A-Double M-I-N
We be jammin' from Brooklyn down to Kingston
We be jammin' in the name of the Lord sweet Allah
We no the blessings from above I and are be no rap star
Exodus when i bust,
See the struggle i must,
Realizing the just but whats next on the cusp
All soldiers of war steadily ignore
Still we ain't sure what the battle is for
Years ago when we toured
Ready to explore
Entered through back doors
Treated like stank manure
Spoke up for rights, we were cracked in the jaw
Elvis made a bundle while we remained poor
We remained poor
but we be jammin'
I'n'I will see you through [Repeat: x2]
MC Lyte]
Come along way but we're still not there yet
[Bob Marley]
I'n'I will see you through
Jah knows the mighty cry, the truth it cannot hide
To keep you satisfied
Love that does exist, is the love i cant resist
So jam by my side
We jammin'
and we're jammin' in the name of the lord
we're jammin'
[Repeats]
we're jammin right straight from york
holy mount zion
I'n'I will see you through [Repeats]
The song "Jammin'" by Bob Marley is a classic reggae piece that speaks about coming together through music and keeping the spirit of jamming alive, regardless of race or culture. "We Jammin'" is a catchy phrase that Marley repeats throughout the song and invites others to join in the spirit of unity. He implores, "I hope you like jammin' too," referring to his desire to connect with listeners through music, as jamming is not just a musical activity but a cultural one, too. Throughout the song, he notes that jamming is a collective effort and that it is about losing oneself in the moment, even when the struggle seems too much to bear.
Marley sings, "everyday we pay the price, with a livin' sacrificial jammin' 'til the jam is through" signifying that life is filled with sacrifice but celebrating and coming together for moments of joy, community and union is a necessary remittance for this. It is through music, art and performance - this joyful expression of creativity - that we can unify and alleviate our temporal sufferings. MC Lyte joins the chorus in the latter half of the song with a verse that speaks about their intentions and visions of educating people about Jamaica's culture, history and revolutionary spirit. She raps about the importance of continuing to spread the musical and spiritual messages, despite historical aches and inequalities that still need to be eliminated.
Overall, Jammin' is a timeless classic that speaks of racially integrated musical trends, celebrating diversity and transcending borders. It is a call to coming together through shared cultural experiences, regardless of backgrounds and struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
We jammin'
Celebrating life and music with others
I wanna jam it with you
Expressing the desire to share the experience of music with another person
I hope you like jammin' too
Expressing the hope that the other person enjoys the same kind of music experience
In rows or around, we can jam it anyhow
No matter how we are positioned, we can still come together to make music
I'n'I, I will see you through
Bob Marley will help others overcome any obstacle in their lives
Everyday we pay the price, with a livin' sacrafice
Life comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices that one must make to survive
Jammin' 'til the jam is through
Continuing to make music and enjoy life until it is over
We jammin', to think that jammin' was a thing of the past
Reflecting on how music brings people together and how it was once a pastime that was lost, but now it has regained popularity
We jammin and I hope the jam is gonna last
Expressing hope that the sense of community and music will continue to thrive
We jammin' on the for the daughters and sons
Making music for future generations to enjoy
The struggle is not over until the battle is won
The fight for a better world is not over until we have achieved it
Hip-Hop is life but it ain't all to me
Acknowledging that while hip-hop is an important part of life, there are other things that matter too
Now where would we be if they take our mics from we.
Questioning what would happen if people were deprived of the ability to make music
Or better yet strip on might itself
Contemplating what would happen if people were denied their basic rights
We done it before so I sit by the door
Reflecting on how people have overcome obstacles before and staying ready to face future challenges
Those that claim but don't really know the game
Referring to individuals who pretend to understand something but don't truly understand it
Bob Marley, learn the man behind the name
Encouraging listeners to learn about the true character and values of Bob Marley
Oh Holy Mount Zion
Referring to the spiritual and sacred importance of a place
We see it in Mount Zion
Recognizing the spiritual significance of Mount Zion
And Rules all creation
Acknowledging that God controls everything in the world
Were jammin'
Continuing to make music and celebrate life
Hope you like jammin' to
Hoping that everyone enjoys the experience of music
J-A-Double M-I-N
Spelling out the word jammin'
We be jammin' from Brooklyn down to Kingston
Celebrating the widespread community of music lovers and their contributions wherever they may be located
We be jammin' in the name of the Lord sweet Allah
Using music as a form of spiritual expression and honoring the divine
We no the blessings from above I and are be no rap star
Understanding that blessings come from God and not from being a celebrity
Exodus when i bust,
Referencing Bob Marley's song 'Exodus' that promotes a prophetic view of returning to Africa
See the struggle i must,
Acknowledging the continued struggle in a world that is not yet just and equal
Realizing the just but whats next on the cusp
Acknowledging the importance of justice, but also acknowledging that there is still much work to be done
All soldiers of war steadily ignore
Identifying the importance of the battle for a just and equal world
Still we ain't sure what the battle is for
Acknowledging the ambiguity and confusion around what the fight for justice truly entails
Years ago when we toured
Referring back to previous experiences and times when the rapper toured
Ready to explore
Being open to new experiences and opportunities
Entered through back doors
Acknowledging discrimination and being treated unfairly
Treated like stank manure
Being treated as if one is worthless or disgusting
Spoke up for rights, we were cracked in the jaw
Being punished for speaking up and advocating for one's rights
Elvis made a bundle while we remained poor
Referencing the exploitation of black musicians in the entertainment industry
Come along way but we're still not there yet
Acknowledging the progress that has been made towards equality and justice, but recognizing that there is still a long way to go
Jah knows the mighty cry, the truth it cannot hide
God recognizes the injustices and suffering that people have experienced
To keep you satisfied
To make sure that people have opportunities and resources to live fulfilling lives
Love that does exist, is the love i cant resist
Referring to the power of love that motivates and drives individuals to fight for justice and equality
So jam by my side
Inviting others to join in and participate in the fight for a better world
We're jammin' in the name of the lord
Celebrating music as a spiritual expression that honors and glorifies God
We're jammin' right straight from york
Celebrating the music culture of New York and the contributions it has made to the broader music world
Holy mount zion
Referring to the spiritual and sacred importance of a place
I'n'I will see you through
Bob Marley will help others overcome any obstacle in their lives
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mary C Brockert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pablotheoren7962
This man was born 1945 which was the end of ww2. He was a symbol of peace freedom and a rebel in his own way. He had a purpose and it was significant. Long live BOB MARLEY
@dude7838
Pablo Theoren Well said!
@angeliquebernadettechasse8329
Bunie sper
@time5447
Dont mean nufin jesus is king
@rachelashker7868
My Dad was born in 1940 and loved him!!!
@sam-wm2dd
I bet some awful people were also born in 1945
@loualbino5536
"Life is worth much more than gold." Love this song.
@edwinestrella5965
Whenever Iβm feeling down, scared, alone, stressed, happy, sad. I feel like I can move past it all when I listen to Bob Marley. I hope everyone is doing okay. God is with us ππ½
@KristinaTeplin
all souls unite!
@benrounds297
A men bro