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
Kaya
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the rain is falling
Got to have kaya now [Repeat: x3]
For the rain is falling
I'm so high, I even touch the sky
Above the falling rain
Here I come again
Got to have kaya now [Repeat: x3]
For the rain is falling
Feelin' irie I [Repeat: x3]
Cause I have some kaya now
I feel so high, I even touch the sky
Above the falling rain
I feel so good in my neighborhood, so
Here I come again
Got to have kaya now
Got to have kaya now
Got to have kaya now, Lord
For the rain is falling
(Kaya now, kaya, kaya) Huh
The song "Kaya" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a reggae classic that uses the metaphor of the herb to highlight its importance in their daily lives. The song's opening lines encourage listeners to wake up and turn themselves loose because rain is falling. This could be interpreted as a call to action, as if Bob Marley & The Wailers are urging people to shake off their lethargy and take advantage of Life's opportunities. The repetition of the line "For the rain is falling" signifies that time is passing, and opportunities are slipping away.
The chorus of the song states "Got to have kaya now" repeatedly, which is patois for cannabis. It is interesting to note that Marley would often refer to cannabis as a "holy herb" and considered its use as spiritual, rather than just recreational. The use of kaya helped Marley and other Rastafarians to open their minds to new experiences and to gain a deeper understanding of their place in the world. The line, "Feelin' irie I, cause I have some kaya now" suggests that Marley feels a sense of contentment and inner peace when he is able to partake of it.
In conclusion, "Kaya" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is an upbeat, joyous song extolling the virtues of cannabis. The song's message is both a celebration of cannabis and a call to action to live fully and take advantage of the time we have. It is a testament to the power of music to uplift spirits and foster a sense of community."
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up and turn me loose [Repeat: x3]
I need to be freed from my current state of mind and awaken to something new.
For the rain is falling
I need kaya to make it through the rough times, represented by the falling rain.
Got to have kaya now [Repeat: x3]
I am searching for and need kaya to help me through my current struggles.
I'm so high, I even touch the sky
Above the falling rain
Kaya has elevated my mind and spirit so high that I feel above the troubles of life, represented by the falling rain.
I feel so good in my neighborhood, so
Here I come again
Kaya makes me feel so good and at home in my surroundings that I want to keep coming back.
Feelin' irie I [Repeat: x3]
Cause I have some kaya now
I am feeling great and relaxed because I have obtained some kaya.
Got to have kaya now
I need kaya to help me through my current struggles.
Got to have kaya now
Got to have kaya now
Got to have kaya now, Lord
For the rain is falling
I am desperately in need of kaya and am asking the Lord for help to get me through the tough times represented by the falling rain.
(Kaya now, kaya, kaya) Huh
Reiterating the need and desire for kaya to help through difficult times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Андрюха Неизвестный
2UNLIMITED
Mohmmed Alkalled
bob marlay
Esther Dias
lo mejor de la vida .......
Jorge Muñoz
ho my frens Bob Marley
Vikram Shete
vikram shete
Claider Davila
muere el cantante mas no su musicaq