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
Rebel Music
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, rebel music
Why can't we roam this open country?
Oh, why can't we be what we want to be?
We want to be free
Three o'clock roadblock, curfew
And I've got to throw away
Yes, I've got to throw away
My little herb stalk
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
Take my soul and suss me out
Check my life if I am in doubt
Three o'clock, roadblock
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
(What you say down there?)
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
Take my soul and suss me out
Check my life if I am in doubt
Three o'clock, roadblock
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
(What you say down there?) Hey Mr. Cop
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
"Rebel Music" is a song by Bob Marley that expresses the sentiments of someone who is frustrated with the limitations of society and the cruel measures taken by the authorities to enforce them. The song begins with the singer boldly declaring that he is a rebel who believes in the power of music to express dissent and protest. He questions why people are not allowed to roam freely in their own country and be who they want to be. The use of the word "we" in this instance emphasizes his desire for collective freedom rather than individual liberation.
The song then takes a more personal turn as the singer describes throwing away his "little herb stalk," indicating that he has chosen to forfeit his freedom and his pleasure in order to avoid punishment. This shows the dire consequences of rebelling against the establishment and the personal sacrifices that people have to make every day to maintain their dignity and freedom. The phrase "three o'clock roadblock" is a reference to the common police tactic of setting up checkpoints to catch people who are out past curfew or breaking other laws.
The final verse of the song refers to the singer being stopped by a cop who demands to see his birth certificate, a piece of paper that represents the bureaucratic control that authorities exert over the lives of citizens. By saying "I ain't got no birth certificate on me now," the singer asserts his right to be free from this type of surveillance and control. Overall, the song is a powerful anthem for those who feel oppressed or marginalized and a call to action for those who want to challenge the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
Why can't we roam this open country?
Why are we confined to limited spaces and freedoms?
Oh, why can't we be what we want to be?
Why are our desires and aspirations suppressed?
We want to be free
We long for liberty and independence.
Three o'clock roadblock, curfew
At night, the authorities impede our movements with blockades and restrictions.
And I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
Yes, I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
Yes, I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
My little herb stalk
My marijuana that represents my way of life.
Take my soul and suss me out
Devote some scrutiny onto my being.
Check my life if I am in doubt
Examine my way of living so as to verify its legitimacy.
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
Police, I don't have a
(What you say down there?)
(What do you say?)
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
I can't produce my documents at the moment.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Aston Barrett, Hugh Peart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlitosway9422
Pureeeeee CLASS!! There will only ever be one Bob Marley... A true prophet from the gods..
AND WILL STILL HAVEN'T LEARNT A THING! 🤷🏾♂️🤔
We desperately need bob in this world.. We are certainly a weaker human race without his emerical presence...
R.I.P my brother..
See you soon 🙏🏾💙
👆🏾🎸🎧🔊
@yumehypo9372
(Do do do do-do do do!
Do do do do-do do do!
I rebel music;
I rebel music.)
Why can't we roam (oh-oh-oh-oh) this open country? (open country)
Oh, why can't we be what we wanna be? (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
We want to be free. (wanna be free)
3 o'clock roadblock - curfew,
And I've got to throw away -
Yes, I've got to throw away -
A yes-a, but I've got to throw away
My little herb stalk!
I (rebel music) - yeah, I'm tellin' you! -
(I) I rebel music (rebel music). Oh-ooh!
Take my soul (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
and suss - and suss me out (suss me out). Oh-ooh!
Check my life (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh),
if I am in doubt (I'm in doubt); I'm tellin':
3 o'clock roadblock - roadblock - roadblock,
And "Hey, Mr. Cop! Ain't got no - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
(What ya sayin' down there?) - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now."
[Instrumental break]
(I rebel music)
(I rebel music)
(oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
(open country)
(oh-oh-oh)
(Do do do!)
I (rebel music) - yeah, I'm tellin' you! -
(I) I rebel music (rebel music).
Oh-ooh! Take my soul (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
and suss - and suss me out (suss me out). Oh-ooh!
Check my life (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh),
if I am in doubt (I'm in doubt); I'm tellin':
3 o'clock roadblock - roadblock - roadblock,
And "Hey, Mr. Cop! Ain't got no - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
(What ya sayin' down there?) - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now."
@fistux
bob marley is not just weed brother.......he brought peace to Jamaica and throughout the world....the weed is secondary.....peace man
@guitarraflamenca8810
This music it is not just a marijuana but a deep philiosophical and religious reflection of life ... Marley is a good man ...
@the__void__spaghetti__girl
+GUITARA FLAMENCA I thought it was just about being stopped by the cops on the road.
@guitarraflamenca8810
+Profajl Nejm police Brutality... Peter Tosh talk about this...
@brunomoreiralima1296
+GUITARA FLAMENCA Marley is a prophet!
@moamen2381
Exactly what I thought. Brilliant message.
@benrow5472
hes a prince of the universe. he is immortal, he has inside him blood of kings.he has no rival, no man can be his equal, Fighting and Free He was Born to be a Prince of the Universe.
@zachmckeever5925
Bob's music is best heard in the early morning as the sun is slowly rising. And also at 145 PM in the rainy cold winter night with no moon in sight. It's good at any moment. Listen closely and you'll hear the purity enmeshed in his messages. We are blessed that he was here the short little time he was here to kindly spread his music, his thoughts, his soul with us. I personally believe he was a prophet. A gifted and perfectly selected soul to impart music which comes straight from God, or Jah, or Buddha, or whatever you feel like calling the great spirit who designed this vast universe. Bob had a mainline connection to that spirit. And he opened a window for us, into the heart and soul and kindness and also harshness that makes up our Creator. I can only praise God for being so kind as to send us a prophet. Because every time I listen to Bob, I understand God a little bit more.
@lanceahsam3196
Zach McKeever ..give thanks and praze! to the most high!...we'll said my brother! very strong! ! ! Jah love!
@busyboysonedollarcircus6601
oh there's no doubt this man is a prophet.