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
Steppin
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Treat me good
If you wanna live, and live, and live
Treat me good
I'm like a walkin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
I'm like a walkin' razor
If you are a bully
I beg you look for me good
If you are a bully, a folly, a bully
Treat me good
I'm like a steppin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
I'm like a steppin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
You are a bully
Treat me good
If you are a bully, a bully, a bully
Look for me good
I'm like a walkin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
I'm like a walkin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
[Incomprehensible]
I beg you look for me good
Be quiet
I beg you treat me good
I'm like a stepin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
I'm like a stepin' razor
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
The lyrics to Bob Marley's "Steppin' Razor" offer a warning to individuals who may try to mistreat or bully him. The title itself refers to a person who is sharp, with a cutting edge like a razor, and who can defend themselves against their enemies. Marley is warning individuals to treat him with respect if they want to live because he is not one to be trifled with. He compares himself to a razor, emphasizing that one should not be fooled by his size as he is still dangerous.
Marley is aware of the power dynamics at play and cautions bullies to "look for me good." This warning implies that aggressors will be unable to attack him without having to confront his sharpness, his skill at self-defense, and his capacity for aggression. Furthermore, Marley references Jamaican folklore in describing himself as a "walkin' razor." This phrase is often associated with the story of the Rolling Calf, a mythical monster that terrorizes the countryside. The monster cannot be defeated because it can slice through anything with its razor-sharp edges, much like Marley in the song.
Overall, the lyrics serve to shed light on Marley's fierce personality and to caution those who might mistake his small size for weakness. The use of the razor imagery is a powerful symbol of strength and defensive capability that allows Marley to assert his authority over potential aggressors.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wanna live
If you want to survive
Treat me good
Treat me with respect
If you wanna live, and live, and live
If you want to survive and continue to live
I'm like a walkin' razor
I am sharp and dangerous
Don't watch my size, I'm dangerous
Do not underestimate me based on my appearance, as I can be a threat
If you are a bully
If you are a menace or a tyrant
I beg you look for me good
You had better beware of me
If you are a bully, a folly, a bully
If you are a bad person, a fool, or a tyrant
Treat me good
Show me respect
I'm like a steppin' razor
I am like a sharp and dangerous knife
You are a bully
You are a menace or a tyrant
Look for me good
You had better beware of me
[Incomprehensible]
Unknown
Be quiet
Calm down and stay silent
I beg you treat me good
Please treat me with respect
I'm like a stepin' razor
I am like a sharp and dangerous knife
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ThayGamer
2022 e nada muda, uma das melhores bandas! Tive o prazer de vê-los no Brasil! 🔴🟡🟢
Nikki Poseidon, Shiva
I love this song!! My mother used to play it when I was little :)
Makonnen Heaven
Same
Shrek Harvey
Easily my favorite song
Matty Smith
I play this for my kids now! :)
Mohamed Kamara
Steppin out, the best song of Steel Pulse, I love it !!!!!!!!!
Shrek Harvey
Same
Revest3D Revestimentos
Som das antigas muito top boas lembranças ❤️😍🙏
Ayaba Bey
The very best of writers and arrangers. Dynamic, synchopation, magic stories, Pulse of STEEL fo REAL. Thank you all of you for the life force of love and positive vibrations. You made me feel strong then and even stronger now. Keep on steppin.
Memory Lane
Timeless. Remember this band came to fame during punk era.