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 โExodusโ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song โOne Loveโ 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
We And Dem
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We no know how we and dem a-go work it out
But someone will 'ave to pay
For the innocent blood
That they shed every day
Oh, children, mark my word
It's what the bible say, yeah, yeah
Oh, we no know how we and dem a-go work this out
We no know how we and dem a-go work it out
But in the beginning jah created everythin' (ooh)
Givin' man dominion over all things
But now it's too late
You see, men has lost their faith (ooh), hey-ey-hey
Eating up all the flesh from off the earth, eh
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (we no know)
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (no, we don't know)
Dub-da-dub-da-dub
Dub-a-dippidi-doop-de-doo
Nim-a-nummany num-na-noo
Num-a-nummana-num-da-nay
Dippy-dippy-dippy, dip-de-dub-de-day
Dip-a-dubbada-dub-da-day
But I say, we no know how we and dem a-go work this out
Them a flesh and bone
We no know how we and dem a-go work it out
But we now have no friends
In-a high society, yeah
We no have no friends
Oh, mark my identity
We no have no friends, oh-oh, yeah
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (no, we no know)
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (we no know)
We no know how we and dem a-go work it out (no, we don't know)
(We no know how we and dem a-go work this out) rasta
(We no know how we and dem a-go work this out) ilyabom
The lyrics of Bob Marley & The Wailers' song We And Dem address the ongoing conflict between different social groups and classes in society. The chorus repeats the phrase โWe no know how we and dem a-go work this out,โ emphasizing the fact that there seems to be no easy solution to this complex issue. The verses indicate that the conflict has escalated to a point where innocent blood is being shed every day, and someone will have to pay for it. Bob Marley is urging people to come together and find a solution that can prevent further violence and suffering.
Marley's lyrics also reflect his beliefs as a Rastafarian. He references โwhat the bible sayโ to emphasize the importance of living in harmony and peace with each other. The second verse includes the line โGivin' man dominion over all things,โ further emphasizing the idea that all people should be treated equally and with respect. Marley also criticizes those who have lost their faith and are consuming the earth's resources without regard for the consequences.
The song's dub-style rhythm adds to the powerful meaning of the lyrics. The repetitive phrases and intricate vocal harmonies create a mesmerizing effect that draws the listener in, while the lyrics leave a lasting impact. We And Dem is a call to action, urging people to work together to create a more just and equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out, oy
We don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts, my friend
But someone will 'ave to pay
However, someone will have to bear the consequences
For the innocent blood
For the untainted lives
That they shed every day
Spilled brutally by them every day
Oh, children, mark my word
Listen attentively, my children
It's what the bible say, yeah, yeah
As scripture states
But in the beginning jah created everythin' (ooh)
At first, Jah created everything
Givin' man dominion over all things
Giving humankind control over everything
But now it's too late
However, now it's beyond repair
You see, men has lost their faith (ooh), hey-ey-hey
As humans have abandoned their belief
Eating up all the flesh from off the earth, eh
Devouring all living beings on earth
But I say, we no know how we and dem a-go work this out
Still, I affirm that we don't know how we and our foes will resolve things
Them a flesh and bone
They are mere mortals
But we now have no friends
However, we don't have any companions left
In-a high society, yeah
Even in the upper echelons of society
We no have no friends
We don't have any friends at all
Oh, mark my identity
Oh, recognize my individuality
We no have no friends, oh-oh, yeah
We don't have any friends, oh yeah
Dub-da-dub-da-dub
Dub-a-dippidi-doop-de-doo
Nim-a-nummany num-na-noo
Num-a-nummana-num-da-nay
Dippy-dippy-dippy, dip-de-dub-de-day
Dip-a-dubbada-dub-da-day
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (no, we no know)
We still don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts
We no know how we and dem a-go work this out (we no know)
We don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts
We no know how we and dem a-go work it out (no, we don't know)
We don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts
(We no know how we and dem a-go work this out) rasta
(We don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts) rasta
(We no know how we and dem a-go work this out) ilyabom
(We don't know how we and our adversaries will resolve their conflicts) ilyabom
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zion91
In the beginning.. Jah created everything. He gave man dominion over all things! But now it's too late.. you see man has lost their faith! Eating up all the flesh from off the Earth..
@joshstanton267
@Joe Bloggs you might just be a moron
@blitheringrando1410
Today I play this and think of the people at war in ukraine
@shaunstewart7834
Too late for what?? Redemption??? Jahova is waiting for us not the other way around!!!
@dereknankivell1604
@@blitheringrando1410 ukraine is the devil's headquarters
@cherylwilliams5810
Serious music ๐ถ
@ajn8110
Bob is up there with the father looking down at us and usual, praying for us. We have lost the biggest thing God gave us. We should know by now. I cry anytime I listen to his songs. Such is wisdom. Rest in perfect peace, Bob.
@edortega7671
He's music was so strongly anointed by the Lord. Nothing else comes close.
@zelmixsg9000
excuse me what is the message of his song please
@FC-xc3zy
@@zelmixsg9000 Bob is saying that evil leaders have destroyed the earth. God had given man the earth to protect, love and cherish, but our leaders murder, divide , steal and pollute