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 โExodusโ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song โOne Loveโ 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
Natural Mystic
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowing through the air
If you listen carefully now you will hear
This could be the first trumpet
Might as well be the last
Many more will have to suffer
Many more will have to die
Don't ask me why
Things are not the way they used to be
I won't tell no lie
One and all got to face reality now
Though I try to find the answer
To all the questions they ask
Though I know it's impossible
To go living through the past
Don't tell no lie
There's a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
Can't keep them down
If you listen carefully now you will hear
Such a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
This could be the first trumpet
Might as well be the last
Many more will have to suffer
Many more will have to die
Don't ask me why
There's a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
I won't tell no lie
If you listen carefully now, you will hear
There's a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
Such a natural mystic, blowing through the air
There's a natural mystic blowing through the air
Such a natural mystic, blowing through the air
Such a natural mystic, blowing through the air
The lyrics to Bob Marley's song "Natural Mystic" are largely metaphorical, centered around the idea that there is a sense of foreboding or mystery in the air that presages impending change and possibly even apocalypse. The natural mystic referred to is an undefined force or energy, but its presence is pervasive and inescapable; it is blowing through the air and can be heard by those who listen carefully. Marley compares this feeling to the sound of a trumpet, suggesting that it could be a signal of great import, possibly signaling the end of the world.
The lyrics also touch on themes of suffering, death, and the inevitability of change. Marley acknowledges that many will have to suffer and die, and that things are not the way they used to be. He urges his listeners to face reality and not to deny the changes that are happening around them, even though he admits that he does not have all the answers to the questions posed by this natural mystic.
Overall, "Natural Mystic" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it is clear that Marley is warning of impending change or crisis, and urging his listeners to remain aware and vigilant in the face of it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a natural mystic
There is a powerful force, something beyond our understanding and control, making itself known in the world
Blowing through the air
Its presence can be felt but not seen, and it affects everything around us
If you listen carefully now you will hear
To understand this mystic force, we must listen closely and pay attention to the signs around us
This could be the first trumpet
This may be a sign of impending change or upheaval, a warning to prepare for something significant
Might as well be the last
This could be a final warning, the last chance to make things right before it's too late
Many more will have to suffer
If we don't heed the warning, there will be consequences and pain to follow
Many more will have to die
The consequences could be severe, even deadly, if we don't act soon
Don't ask me why
There may not be an explanation for this force, but its power is undeniable
Things are not the way they used to be
The world is changing, and we must adapt to survive
I won't tell no lie
This is the truth, and it must be faced head-on
One and all got to face reality now
This is not just one person's problem, but something that affects everyone, and it must be dealt with immediately
Though I try to find the answer
Even if we seek answers, we may not be able to fully understand the power and purpose of the natural mystic
To all the questions they ask
People may be looking for answers and guidance, but we may not have them
Though I know it's impossible
We may never fully understand or be able to control this force, but we must still face it head-on
To go living through the past
We cannot keep looking to the past for solutions or answers, but must deal with the present and move forward
Can't keep them down
Despite efforts to resist or ignore the changes, the natural mystic's power cannot be suppressed
Such a natural mystic
The force is so powerful and significant that it must be acknowledged and respected
Blowing through the air
Its presence continues to be felt, affecting everything around us
Such a natural mystic, blowing through the air
The natural mystic is a force to be reckoned with, not to be ignored or taken lightly
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Khtik Meni
ouou papapapapapa nice
Hicham Zidan
hicham zidan et akila
Jati Marley
faya jah
Eder Fernandes
qui som bom
Juan Lantigua
good song isnt it.
Tzehaie Mengstu
WHEN I AM LISTING YOUR MUSI I FINDE THE ANSER OF ALL KOTION
Vaitiare Stephanie Gout Fila
Natural Mystic... rastafarian blowing thru the air....
Masinho Mso
Vrey very very nice
Bjorn J Seymour
one love bless!
Luiz Sรฉrgio
muito pesado!