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
Screw Face
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Screwface know-a who fi frighten!
Screwface know-a who fi frighten!
Like I told, they say, "Coward, man".
Gonna keep some bones
And all violent man gonna weep and moan.
He that exalted him say, "Yeah!"
Shall be obeyed.
Remember Jah - Jah children deh!
Don't dread no pain.
Fear do we go now
To the rivers of ungodly waters, we'll fear no foe
(Fear no foe, fear no foe).
Wherever I go,
Not even the pestilence
That crawl at I'n'I
Can't do - wo-wo-wo - me no wrong
(Just can't do me no wrong).
Oh, now!
I tell you what red is!
I tell you what I know:
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
Screwface know-a who fi frighten!
Screwface know-a who fi frighten! Wo, now!
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
Screwface will frighten screwface!
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
Long time gone, y'all!
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
Screwface will frighten screwface!
Wo, yeah! Now!
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
---
(Intrumental ending)
In the first verse of this song, Bob Marley is warning a group of people known as the "screwface" that they should be afraid of someone, possibly himself. Marley emphasizes that cowardly behavior will not save the "violent man" from the "bones" he belongs to suffer. Marley suggests that screwface's oppressor will be liable to obey him, which indicates that screwface himself is not the one who should frighten others. In the second verse, Marley encourages his listeners not to be afraid of pain, as they go through the "rivers of ungodly waters." He expresses confidence that no foe can do him wrong, even the "pestilence that crawls." This verse is meant to encourage the oppressed and to show that they have natural power in the face of oppression.
Overall, "Screwface" is a political song that directly calls out certain oppressive groups, the "screwface," in Marley's society. Marley's lyrics are a warning that such groups cannot maintain their oppression indefinitely and that justice will be served. He encourages his listeners to remain strong in the face of oppression and not to be afraid of their oppressors because, eventually, they will reap what they sow.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, now!
The singer is calling attention to the upcoming lyrics and beginning to assert his message.
Screwface know-a who fi frighten!
There are people who try to intimidate others, but Screwface knows who he can successfully intimidate.
Screwface know-a who fi frighten!
Repeating the line emphasizes the singer's point about Screwface understanding who he can frighten.
Like I told, they say, "Coward, man".
The subject of this song has been called a coward, and this line is a statement of what other people are saying about him.
Gonna keep some bones
Despite putting up a brave front, some people will be fearful and run away when threatened.
And all violent man gonna weep and moan.
Those who rely on strength and violence will ultimately be punished and suffer, leading to tears and lamentation.
He that exalted him say, "Yeah!"
Those in power who elevated and praised Screwface will come to regret their decision.
Shall be obeyed.
The artist is warning those who hold power or influence that they should be careful with their words and actions.
Remember Jah - Jah children deh!
The artist is reminding others to remain spiritually grounded and to honor their values and beliefs.
Don't dread no pain.
Fear should not dictate one's actions or reactions, even in the face of pain or danger.
Fear do we go now
Even in difficult and fearful circumstances, one can remain strong and unshaken.
To the rivers of ungodly waters, we'll fear no foe
The artist is saying that people should be unafraid of negative or uncomfortable experiences or situations.
(Fear no foe, fear no foe).
The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea of refusing to be afraid in difficult situations.
Wherever I go,
The singer is emphasizing that they will not be afraid, regardless of where they may end up going.
Not even the pestilence
Even in the case of a highly contagious and dangerous disease, the singer will not be scared.
That crawl at I'n'I
This line refers to the idea that the disease will do its best to affect the artist but they will not be affected by it.
Can't do - wo-wo-wo - me no wrong
The artist is confident in their ability to resist outside forces and influence.
(Just can't do me no wrong).
By repeating the phrase, the singer is further affirming their strength.
I tell you what red is!
The singer asserts their wisdom and knowledge, emphasizing the strength and conviction in their words.
I tell you what I know:
The artist proceeds to share their knowledge with others.
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
The chorus repeats, underscoring the message of the song.
Screwface will frighten screwface!
The artist is asserting that those who try to intimidate others will themselves experience fear and intimidation at the hands of others.
Long time gone, y'all!
This line suggests that the subject of the song has been intimidating and feared for a long time.
Wo, yeah! Now!
This line emphasizes the artist's passion and urgency.
(Screwface know-a who fi frighten!)
The chorus repeats one last time to drive home the song's message.
(Instrumental ending)
The music fades out as the song ends.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ChaliceMarleyEntertainments
Who still listening
@chipolmstead9220
King Bob in all his regalia here.
@rafaelmokole4274
🛡️Screwface really should be everywhere Like a Angelion ❤️💛💚💚💛❤️🛡️👑💖😎🌴🦁🌠🌕
@Kushprincess66
Killer choon
@taopaille-paille4992
I love this song
@realcooking1833
Get in, I'd forgotten this one
@jahno7154
This is a much better version for me
@karenleeM
Got the box picture disk set off 👌
@MyJustin316
i learned why they made the movie Marked For Death in 1990
@jinchuriki7022
"Screwface be everywhere mon"