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
Who The Cap Fit
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know who to trust
Your worst enemy could be your best friend
And your best friend your worst enemy
Some will eat and drink with you
Then behind them su-su 'pon you
Only your friend know your secrets
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
Said I throw me corn (throw me corn)
Me no call no fowl (me no call no fowl)
I saying cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
Cluck-cluck-cluck (cluck-cluck-cluck)
Ay
Some will hate you, pretend they love you now
Then behind they try to eliminate you
But who Jah bless, no one curse
Thank God
We're past the worse
Hypocrites and parasites
Will come up and take a bite
And if your night should turn to day
A lot of people would run away
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
Who the cap fit
Let them wear it
And then I'm gonna throw me corn (throw me corn)
And then I'm gonna call no fowl (call no fowl)
And then I'm gonna say cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
Cluck-cluck-cluck (cluck-cluck-cluck)
Some will eat and drink with you
Then behind them su-su 'pon you (su-su 'pon you)
And if night should turn to day
A lot of people will run away
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
Throw me corn (throw me corn)
Me no call no fowl (me no call no fowl)
I saying cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
Cluck-cluck-cluck (cluck-cluck-cluck)
I gotta cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
Cluck-cluck-cluck
The lyrics of "Who The Cap Fit" by Bob Marley & the Wailers speaks to the idea that in a world where people are not just, it is hard to know who to trust. The song cautions listeners that just because someone may seem like a friend, they could be an enemy in disguise. The lyrics also suggest the importance of being wary about sharing personal information because only a true friend would keep secrets safe. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of accepting responsibility for one's actions and facing the consequences of their behavior - those who deserve the hat should wear it.
The second verse of the song speaks to the idea of haters - people who pretend to like you but secretly plot to eliminate you. Bob Marley reminds us that those who are blessed by Jah (God) cannot be cursed and that our past experiences have prepared us for the challenges ahead. The third verse draws attention to opportunistic people who will take advantage of someone else's success but disappear when times get tough. Marley emphasizes that those who deserve success should not be ashamed of it, but they also must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Man to man is so unjust, children
People are often unfair to one another, especially towards the younger generation.
You don't know who to trust
It can be difficult to know who to rely on and confide in.
Your worst enemy could be your best friend
Someone who is perceived as an enemy may be more trustworthy than those who are considered friends.
And your best friend your worst enemy
Conversely, someone who is considered a friend may end up being more harmful or deceptive than an enemy.
Some will eat and drink with you
People may have a friendly demeanor and appear hospitable to others.
Then behind them su-su 'pon you
However, these same people may gossip or spread rumors about those they appeared to be friendly with.
Only your friend know your secrets
The people who are most intimate with you are the ones who are most likely to know your secrets.
So only he could reveal it
These intimate friends may be the only ones who would have the power to betray or expose you.
And who the cap fit
If someone is guilty of the accusation being made, they should take responsibility.
Let them wear it
They should accept the consequences for their actions or behavior.
Said I throw me corn (throw me corn)
This line could be interpreted as the singer acknowledging the value of certain actions or offerings.
Me no call no fowl (me no call no fowl)
The artist is suggesting that they will not falsely accuse others of wrongdoing or wrongly blame others for their own problems.
I saying cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
This line could be interpreted as the singer making noise or clamoring for attention.
Cluck-cluck-cluck (cluck-cluck-cluck)
This line could be interpreted as a way to imply that others are behaving like chickens or acting foolishly.
Some will hate you, pretend they love you now
There are people who may harbor ill will towards you but may put on a façade of friendliness.
Then behind they try to eliminate you
These same people may act to undermine or harm you in secret.
But who Jah bless, no one curse
Those who are blessed by God or have good fortune are less likely to be harmed or cursed by others.
Thank God We're past the worse
The singer is expressing gratitude that they have endured past challenges or difficulties.
Hypocrites and parasites
People who pretend to be something they are not or who live off others' efforts or resources.
Will come up and take a bite
These types of people are known for taking advantage of others to further their own interests.
And if your night should turn to day
If your fortunes change and your situation improves significantly.
A lot of people would run away
Those who are present in difficult times may not stick around when things improve.
Let them wear it
Those who are guilty or responsible for certain actions or outcomes should take responsibility for their behavior.
Throw me corn (throw me corn)
The artist is soliciting donations or offerings from others.
Me no call no fowl (me no call no fowl)
The singer is reiterating that they won't blame others for their own problems or seek to place blame where it doesn't belong.
I gotta cok-cok-cok (cok-cok-cok)
The singer is reaffirming their presence or impact in some way.
Cluck-cluck-cluck
This line may serve to emphasize the idea that others are acting foolishly or like chickens.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Real Juicy News
[Intro]
Man to man is so unjust, children
You don't know who to trust
Your worst enemy could be your best friend
And your best friend your worse enemy.
[Chorus]
Some will eat and drink with you
Then behind them su-su upon you
Only your friend know your secrets.
So only he could reveal it
[Verse]
Some will hate you, pretend they love you now
Then behind they try to eliminate you
But who Jah bless, no one curse
Thank God, we are past the worse
Hypocrites and parasites
Will come up and take a bite
And if your night should turn to day
A lot of people would run away
And who the stock fit let them wear it
Who the cap fit let them wear it
Through personal experience,and noticing it also happening to other people all around me, I have come to realize, this be the truth. This is when and how people you think are your friends, reveal their true selves, that they are really Judases.
Reggae Roots Records
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David Colop
0
Hassan Cadet
His messages are everlasting!
Barto Bartoman
The King of Reggae full of wisdom. You taught the world, and the world has learned good things, has acquired wisdom through your music. Your LEGACY can never die. R I P MARLEY.
LayLay🫀.
This song gives a lesson everyone needs to hear
Markus Hinnant
One of the realist songs he have wrote!!!! Hands down!!! 🙌🙌🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍
Marco Speekenbrink
Bob didn't write this one.
Marco Speekenbrink
Aston Barrett · Carlton Barrett did.
AEzyy
this song , War and Talking blues were written by Carlton Barrett (drums) and Aston Barrett (bass)
Patrick Phokoane
@Marco Speekenbrink wow they showly composed a master piece