Born on April 2, 1939, Marvin Gaye was the son of a Church Minister and domestic worker and was the second of four children. The Prince of Soul grew up singing in the church with his father but would later be kicked out of the home when he started singing secular music.
Gaye later became one of Motown’s biggest figures both as a producer and later on as an artist in the 1960s.
His life was, however, cut short on April 1, 1984, after his father, Marvin Gay Sr. shot him in their home after a confrontation.
With several albums to his name, Gaye received numerous accolades and honors during his career and also posthumously. Notable among them include a Grammy Award for his 1982 chart-topping single Sexual Healing as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
To celebrate his legacy, Face2Face Africa shares with you 10 of his greatest hits. Scroll through to check them out in no particular order: