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
Rat Race
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh! Eh! Oh what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
This is the rat race! Rat race!
(Rat race!) (Rat race!)
Some a lawful, some a bastard, some a jacket
Rat race!
Some a gorgon-a, some a hooligan-a, some a guine-gog-a
In this 'ere rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
I'm singin' that
When the cat's away
The mice will play
Political violence fill ya city, ye-ah!
Don't involve rasta in your say say
Rasta don't work for no CIA
Rat race
Rat race, rat race yeah!
Rat race, I'm sayin'
When you think is peace and safety
A sudden destruction
Collective security for surety, ye-ah!
Don't forget your history
Know your destiny
In the abundance of water
The fool is thirsty
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race!
Oh, it's a disgrace
To see the human race
In a rat race, yeah
Rat race!
You got the horse race
You got the dog race
You got the human-race
But this is a rat race
Rat race!
In the song, "Rat Race," Bob Marley is addressing the harsh realities of life that are prevalent in society. He speaks of how people can be grouped into different categories, some who are law-abiding and others who indulge in criminal activities. Marley makes a reference to the animal kingdom with the metaphor of the rat race to depict the cut-throat competition that exists in life. He warns that people can easily become entrapped in the game and the harsh reality of the world's predators and prey. Encouraging people to learn from history and their past, Marley also warns that sudden destruction will occur in times when you least expect, and it’s essential to know what you are destined to do.
Marley brings back the theme of history repeating itself throughout the rat race. He references the CIA and how they the rastafarian religion is, so they shouldn't be involved in political violence. The reliance on collective security can lead people to become complacent, depending on others to solve problems rather than addressing the issues themselves fully. Bob Marley is advocating for self-reliance as he explains the abundance of water, and yet people still get thirsty; there are resources, but you need to learn how to use them effectively.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh! Ya too rude!
An exclamation showing disapproval of someone's rude behavior
Oh what a rat race!
Expressing the feeling of being caught in a tiring and meaningless competition or struggle for survival
This is the rat race! Rat race!
Reinforcing the idea that the relentless competition and struggles of life are the rat race
Some a lawful, some a bastard, some a jacket
Some people obey the law, some are born out of wedlock, some wear a suit but it doesn't matter in the rat race
Oh, what a rat race, yeah! Rat race!
Emphasizing the exhaustion and fruitlessness of the rat race
Some a gorgon-a, some a hooligan-a, some a guine-gog-a
Some people are intimidating, some are troublemakers, some are innocents but they all contribute to the rat race
In this 'ere rat race, yeah! Rat race!
Further emphasizing that the struggle of life is the rat race
When the cat's away, The mice will play
People take advantage of the absence of authority to do what they want
Political violence fill ya city, ye-ah!
Violence is a result of political unrest and dissatisfaction
Don't involve rasta in your say say, Rasta don't work for no CIA
The singer doesn't want to be involved in someone else's political agenda or be used by the government
When you think is peace and safety, A sudden destruction, Collective security for surety, ye-ah!
Just when everything seems calm and stable, there can be unexpected crisis and the government promises collective security for a sense of assurance
Don't forget your history, Know your destiny
It's important to remember where you come from and understand your purpose in life
In the abundance of water, The fool is thirsty
Even when there are plenty of resources, some people still struggle or cannot appreciate them
Oh, it's a disgrace, To see the human race,In a rat race, yeah
The singer expresses sadness and frustration to see humans living meaningless lives in the rat race
You got the horse race,You got the dog race,You got the human-race,But this is a rat race, Rat race!
There are many kinds of races in life, but the singer believes that the never-ending competition for survival is the true rat race
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RITA MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ANIME10able1
Uh! Ya too rude!
Uh! Eh! What a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
This is the rat race! Rat race! (Rat race!)
Some a lawful, some a bastard, some a jacket:
Oh, what a rat race, yeah! Rat race!
Some a gorgon-a, some a hooligan-a, some a guine-gog-a
In this 'ere rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
I'm singin' that
When the cat's away,
The mice will play.
Political voilence fill ya city, ye-ah!
Don't involve Rasta in your say say;
Rasta don't work for no C.I.A.
Rat race, rat race, rat race! Rat race, I'm sayin':
When you think is peace and safety:
A sudden destruction.
Collective security for surety, ye-ah!
Don't forget your history;
Know your destiny:
In the abundance of water,
The fool is thirsty.
Rat race, rat race, rat race!
Rat race!
Oh, it's a disgrace
To see the human-race
In a rat race, rat race!
You got the horse race;
You got the dog race;
You got the human-race;
But this is a rat race, rat race!
@ReggaeRootsRecords
Head over to Spotify & follow our Roots Reggae playlist! 🇯🇲 - https://ffm.to/rootsreggae
@asherwiess
See it all❤
@beghdadiamine7803
@@asherwiessmmmmm
@mysticislandtours
@@asherwiess😊😊
@lloydwade3290
😂3😂d3😂🎉8😂@@asherwiess🎉
@chrislloyd7248
I agree our richness lies In God and is forever
@trevorlexus
As a native of Jamaica, and someone who gives Bob Marley the most supreme respect of all times.I would like to commemorate his life time work and achievements. He has sung songs for the people who can't sing for themselves. He has given voices to the people at the bottom of the food chain. He is an icon, a Jamaican hero, and an introspection to all mankind to give ourselves a moral and ethical thinking about life and humanity..One Love RIP BOB
@beefsoda1
Right on!
@maureenwalsh6514
so very true rasta nah work for no CIA god bless this man he is a legend an his songs will forever be a voice for people who dont have one nuff respect for this man
@masaifrancis6833
Could not have said it better.....and that's why he isnt with us anymore. He was a massive threat to the most of the world leaders and his work was gaining huge momentum, which made them uncomfortable! Remember, peace DOES NOT make money!!!