It is near-impossible to not know who Bob Marley is if you are a teenager or older on planet Earth in this century.
As exaggerated as it sounds, it is not as ridiculous as making the opposite argument with a straight face. The man died four decades ago but he continues to epitomize a music genre, a way of life and political philosophy.
Robert Nesta Marley would be 75 today if he had not passed away, sadly to skin cancer, in 1981. He was widely known before his death but posthumously, he has only gotten bigger.
It is fair to say that Marley has gotten bigger because reggae music itself has. He was a pioneer of the genre and obviously, reggae music’s favorite poster man.
But not all reggae music is created equally. And that is where Bob Marley stands out.
Over a career that was about two-decades-long, Marley’s ability to produce thought-provoking and touching songs in stylistically terse compositions was bound to be noticed.
Whether with the Wailers or alone, Marley’s themes were regular – anti-European colonialism, love for humanity, personal struggles, poverty, etc.
For obvious reasons, Redemption Song is quite popular with Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. But Marley’s variety also gave songs whose lessons for us are not outdated.
As follows are four of such songs. If there is one that you think should have made the cut, it only points to the richness of the gifts Marley left us.
Anthony Madu, the 14-year-old Nigerian dancer from Lagos who gained admission to a prestigious ballet…
Actor-host Wayne Brady recently opened up about his early financial struggles in his now thriving…
Mia Arianna, also known as @mia.ariannaa on TikTok, helped her son become an honorary team…
Alvin Gauthier, a Grand Prairie USPS postman, recently went above and beyond to brighten a…
Maj. Gen. Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed is the first female commander of the air force and…
Benjamin E. Mays High School brought together its 272 senior class members for a meeting…
Afrika Owes' emotional response to learning that she had passed the bar exam on her…
A 49-year-old New York attorney was on April 26 sentenced to 10 years in federal…
During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, pop legend Cher opened up…
Authorities in Florida said an 11-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his 14-year-old…
The famous Taylor Schlitz family is making headlines once more as the youngest of the…
Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Tahra Grant as its Chief Communications Officer. She replaces Robert…
Meet Ashley M. Fox, the founder of Empify and the first in her family to…
Tyra Banks, the iconic former host of Dancing With the Stars, has made a delightful…
A Brazilian woman named Érika de Souza, 42, is under investigation for manslaughter after authorities…