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
Walk the Proud Land
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do be do be do by dey
Do be do be do by dey
Do be do be do by dey
Do be do be do by dey
Walk the proud land, my friends (with me)
Walk the proud land, my friends (with me)
Walk the proud land, my friends (with me)
Now why you come wheel and turn me
Now why you come wheel and turn me
Now why you come wheel and turn me
Go lick me belly 'pon your tamborine-a
I've got to keep on movin'
I've got to keep on movin'
I've got to keep on movin'
I've got to keep on movin'
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
Gimme licka soul, oh lord
Gimme licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Gimme licka solo, lord
Gimme licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Rude Boy rob
Rude Boy scrub I
Rude Boy rob
Rude Boy scrub
I've got to keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
Gimme licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Gimme licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Gimme licka, gimme licka, gimmie licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
Skank quadrille
I've got to keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
(I've got to) keep on movin'
Rude Boy run
This is a Rude Boy run
This is a Rude Boy action
This is a Rude Boy running
This is a Rude Boy action
This is a Rude Boy running
This is a Rude Boy action
This is a...
The lyrics to Bob Marley's song "Walk the Proud Land" are taken from his experiences growing up in Jamaica and witnessing the mistreatment and injustice towards the Rastafarian community. The opening lines of "Why, why, why, why" can be seen as Marley questioning why this injustice and discrimination towards marginalized groups exists in society. The repeated phrase "Do be do be do by dey" can be interpreted as the voices of the oppressed being ignored or not taken seriously.
The chorus "Walk the proud land, my friends (with me)" can be seen as a call to action for allies to stand with the oppressed and fight for justice together. The lyric "Now why you come wheel and turn me" can be seen as Marley facing discrimination and being treated unfairly because of his beliefs and identity. The line "Gimme licka soul, oh lord" can be seen as a plea for strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
The term "Rude Boy" that is repeated throughout the song refers to the street gangs that emerged in Kingston during the 1960s. Marley uses this term to show that even within oppressed communities, there can be internal conflict and struggle for power.
Line by Line Meaning
Why, why, why, why
Questioning the reasons for a situation or behavior
Do be do be do by dey
Nonsensical filler words
Walk the proud land, my friends (with me)
Inviting others to join and embrace their heritage and culture
Now why you come wheel and turn me
Asking why someone is trying to change or manipulate them
Go lick me belly 'pon your tamborine-a
Refusing to conform or be controlled by someone else's expectations or traditions
I've got to keep on movin'
Continuing to push forward and not get stuck in one place
Skank quadrille
Referencing a style of dance that celebrates Jamaican culture
Gimme licka, gimmie licka, gimmie licka solo, lord
Requesting the opportunity to express oneself and shine as an individual
Rude Boy rob
Acknowledging the existence of crime and conflict within the community
Rude Boy scrub I
Admitting personal responsibility for any wrongdoing and striving to improve
(I've got to) keep on movin'
Reiterating the importance of persistence and forward movement
Rude Boy run
Encountering challenges and needing to escape danger or negative situations
This is a Rude Boy action
Asserting oneself and taking control of the situation
Contributed by Jasmine T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Grytbakk
Amazing record. The best of them all. 👍
Lisa Guy
I LOVE THIS!!!
Nijo Mountain
yeah its cool. I love this BM song. like its empowering for real. I gotta keep on moving ....hmm like you have the right to live your life UNHINDERED and FREE same as all Live on Earth. BM knew it deep and spread this feeling.
Rififi Rififi
BOB MARLEY THE LEGEND ! ! ! 💚💛❤ RESPECT À CE GRAND MONSIEUR ANTI SYSTÈME ! ! ! ✌✌✌
brother brother
Bote o capacete que a pedrada é forte!
Nijo Mountain
W A L K ...The PROUD LAND MY FRIENDS.... touch and go...but walk its your right! don't miss a step. do not be ashamed to be yourself and make your mark.
Fabio Lopes
best introduction ever
Maria Candelaria Núñez Herrera
👏👏👏👏👏♥️
Joseph Mercurio
Sublime
vehiculos y repuestos sas
Bass ,drums and hammond (family man , carly and wya)