Famed for being one of the world’s best-selling artist of all time and the father of Reggae music, Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer and songwriter who broke the boundaries of making it in music despite being from a ‘third world country’.
Born on 6th February 1945 in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, Robert Nesta Marley was the son of an Afro-Jamaican mother, Cadella Booker and Norval Sinclair Marley, a white Jamaican. After the death of his father, his mother began to live with Marley’s best friend’s father making it easier for the two to go deep in exploring their love for music. His first music performance was with a group, The Wailers where Marley and his friends focused on developing their vocals, became popular but hardly made it financially. After 11 years of working together, Marley sang alone for a while with no much success. The best of his success was while teaming up with various singers. In particular, his 9th studio album, Exodus that was recorded during his stay in stayed on British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks. Marley died on 11th May 1981 from skin cancer.
As a man who desired to see oppression come to an end, Marley had a strong spiritual attachment to Africa. He visited Kenya and Ethiopia, a country believed to be the homeland of Rastafari, Marley’s religion. He also performed in Zimbabwe during the official independence ceremony in 1980. He longed to see Africa united as one great nation without the racial divides enforced by her colonies. To this he wrote and sang, “Africa Unite”.
With his songs calling nations to unite, it was during Marley’s One Love Peace Concert in Jamaica that the Prime minister and the main opposition leader came together and shook hands on stage.
Marley had 11 children; 3 of them he got with his wife Rita, adopted 2 daughters from her and got 6 with other women.
After converting to Rastafari faith, Marley began to use cannabis and even supported its legalization. He believed that by smoking the herb, he was able to meditate and have self-revelation. He also considered it as a healing herb and a sacrament.
“Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.”
Bob Marley
“I don’t know how to live good. I only know how to suffer. “
Bob Marley
“You entertain people who are satisfied. Hungry people can’t be entertained – or people who are afraid. You can’t entertain a man who has no food.”
Bob Marley
“Live for yourself and you will live in vain; live for others, and you will live again.”
Bob Marley
“When one door is closed, don’t you know, another is open.”
Bob Marley
“Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.”
Bob Marley
“I no have education. I have inspiration. If I was educated, I would be a damn fool.”
Bob Marley
“None but ourselves can free our minds.”
Bob Marley
“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver or gold.”
Bob Marley
“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!”
Bob Marley
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Bob Marley
