By Akumbu Uche (Student Editor)
Bob Marley, the legendary reggae musician born Nesta Robert Marley in Jamaica on February 6, 1945 to a white Jamaican father and a black Jamaican mother.
His musical journey began at the age of 14 when he dropped out of school to pursue his musical ambitions. At the age of 18, he became a member of a trio known as the Wailers and they recorded together until 1974.
However, individual success came for Marley in 1976 when his album “Rastaman Vibrations” spent four weeks in the US Billboard charts.
Although raised as a Catholic, Marley converted to Rastafarianism in the 1960s. Because of this, he began wearing dreadlocks and became a vegetarian. His music combined themes of pan-Africanism with the Rastafari principles of love, unity and freedom for all nations. He played a huge role in exposing both the religion and Jamaican music to international recognition.
Nigerian musicians influenced by Marley include reggae musicians Majek Fashek and Ras Kimono.
Marley lost his life to cancer on May 11, 1981. His wife, Rita and 11 children survived him. Several of his children have followed his footsteps with Damian and Ziggy being the most famous.
He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
30 years after his demise, Marley’s music continues to entertain and inspire. His musical legacy includes hits such as “No Woman, No Cry”, “Redemption Song”, “Buffalo Soldier” and “One Love”.
