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
Rock Roots Reegea
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Hey, mister music, you sure sounds good to me
I can't refuse it, what to be got to be
Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, yeah, dis a reggae music
Play I some music, dis a reggae music
Play I some music, dis a reggae music
Play I on the R and B, wo-oh, want all my people to see
We're bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Play I on the R and B, want all my people to see
We bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music, uh-uh
Roots, rock, reggae, ee-mi duba, dis a reggae music
Play I some music (dis a reggae music)
Play I some music (dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
Play I on the R and B
I want all my people to see
We bubblin' on top one hundred just like a mighty dread
Play I some music (dis a) reggae music
Play I some music (dis a) reggae music
(Dis a reggae music)
(Dis a reggae music)
In "Roots Rock Reggae," Bob Marley celebrates reggae music and dances freely to it. He sings "Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music/Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music," expressing his desire for the rhythm to be played and outlining the three elements that constitute reggae music's soul: roots, rock, and reggae. Marley's choice of the word "roots" represents the genre's spiritual and cultural foundations, while "rock" refers to the uptempo, guitar-driven beat. This beat was popularized by Marley and the Wailers, as they pioneered the genre and blended beats in a manner that is rhythmically stimulating. The lyrics, "Hey, mister music, you sure sound good to me/I can't refuse it, what to be got to be," are essentially affirming that the vibrations they receive from the music are electrifying and undeniable.
Furthermore, Marley and the Wailers expressed that the reggae message should be disseminated throughout the world, thus continuing to spread throughout the world. He therefore sings, "Play I on the R and B, want all my people to see/We bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread." He believes in the genre and believes it can break barriers throughout the music industry.
Overall, "Roots Rock Reggae" is a song of joy and authentic self-expression, in which the artist celebrates the power of music and the genre that brought him success. Marley and the Wailers thereby raise awareness of the political and cultural achievements that the genre embodies. The lyrics implore the listener to evoke a spirited feeling of freedom and dance with ease.
Line by Line Meaning
Play I some music, (dis a) reggae music
Start playing reggae music for me
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music
This is roots rock reggae, a type of reggae music
Hey, mister music, you sure sounds good to me
I really like the music you're playing
I can't refuse it, what to be got to be
I have to dance to this music, it's irresistible
Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free
Let's dance because we're free to do what we want
Play I on the R and B, wo-oh, want all my people to see
I want my people to hear me play reggae music and enjoy it
We're bubblin' on the top one hundred, just like a mighty dread
Our reggae music is very popular and successful, like a famous reggae artist
Roots, rock, reggae, dis a reggae music, uh-uh
This is still roots rock reggae, a type of reggae music
Roots, rock, reggae, ee-mi duba, dis a reggae music
Again, this is roots rock reggae, a type of reggae music
Play I on the R and B
Let me play reggae music on the radio
I want all my people to see
I want my people to hear and appreciate reggae music
We bubblin' on top one hundred just like a mighty dread
Our reggae music is very popular and successful, like a famous reggae artist
Play I some music (dis a) reggae music
Keep playing reggae music for me
(Dis a reggae music)
This is still reggae music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VINCENT FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joelwest5541
My 4 year old son has been in ICU for a week and I've been sitting here playing Bob hour upon hour quietly in the room. It's been amazing to see the smiles on the faces of people who passed the room. The nurses check on him more often than the do when I'm not playing Bob. This music is powerful in ways we are incapable comprehending.
One love
@michaelbentt3018
Blessings, luv and light to your little, beautiful soldier, my friend.
Rise up.
@artyom8456
i hope after all these years, he's still a happy little boy! bless you both
@joelwest5541
@artyom wow, I had forgotten about this comment. It's funny how life will remind you of the important things! Yeah, he's doing really well today! That was such a scary time for me, we almost lost him in that hospital! Thanks for you comment!
The power of music, the greatest communication! One love sir
@icey2203
@Joel West great to hear.
@shelll9254
Most healing . music to help the body recover and rejuvenate. It soothes the soul. ✌️&💗
@liviusss
One of the most beautiful and underrated songs ever written... The King will forever live in our hearts!
@maxgandara7403
not underrated, highly appreciated.
@SuppAmiigg
https://youtu.be/abVh2WoUgKc
@jfryk
If you ever watch the video it's easier to catch the dripping irony holding up a mirror to everything.