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
Roots Rock Reegae
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, 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&B - wo-oh! Want all my people to see:
We're bubblin' on the Top 100, just like a mighty dread!
Play I on the R&B; want all my people to see:
We bubblin' on the Top 100, 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&B; I want all my people to see: (doo-doo-doo-doo!)
We bubblin' on the Top 100, just like a mighty dread!
(doo-doo-doo-doo!)
Play I some music: (dis a) reggae music!
Play I some music: (dis a) reggae music!
(Dis a reggae music!)
(Dis a reggae music!)
The song "Roots Rock Reggae" by Bob Marley celebrates the powerful and transformative impact of reggae music in Jamaican society and beyond. The chorus, "Roots, Rock, Reggae, this a reggae music" highlights the distinct musical genres that serve as the foundation of the reggae sound. "Roots" represents the traditional Jamaican folk music that heavily influenced reggae, "Rock" celebrates the influence of American R&B and rock and roll on the genre, and, of course, "Reggae" itself represents the unique sound that Marley so masterfully crafted.
The song also references the cultural and political significance of reggae music. "Play I on the R&B; want all my people to see: we're bubblin' on the Top 100, just like a mighty dread!" Marley is expressing his desire for the world to take notice of the power and influence of reggae music, as it emerged from Jamaican communities and rose to become a global phenomenon. The reference to the "mighty dread" in the lyrics speaks to the Rastafari movement's belief in the divine being Jah, who is often referred to as "the dread".
Overall, "Roots Rock Reggae" is a powerful ode to the music that originated from Jamaica's streets and blossomed into a worldwide cultural and political movement.
Line by Line Meaning
Play I some music: (dis a) reggae music!
Start playing some music, specifically reggae music.
Roots, rock, reggae: dis a reggae music!
This is reggae music with elements of its roots and rock.
Hey, Mister Music, sure sounds good to me!
I am enjoying the reggae music you are playing, Mister Music.
I can't refuse it: what to be got to be.
I cannot resist this music since what will happen is meant to be.
Feel like dancing, dance 'cause we are free;
I have a desire to dance because we are all liberated.
Roots, rock, reggae: dis a reggae music! Yeah!
This is reggae music with elements of its roots and rock.
Play I on the R&B; want all my people to see:
Play my music on R&B radio so all of my fans can hear it.
We bubblin' on the Top 100, just like a mighty dread!
My music is reaching the top of the charts, like a powerful force.
Play I some music: (dis a reggae music!)
Play more reggae music for us.
(Dis a reggae music!)
This is reggae music.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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.