The legendary singer Bob Marley visited Africa for the first time in 1978. He visited the African country of Kenya, as well as Ethiopia, the spiritual home of the Rastafarian religion. Bob Marley stayed at Shashamane, a compound that sits on 500 acres donated by His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I to the Rastafarian community. He also visited the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and other sites of significance to the Rastafarian faith and the ancient history of Ethiopia.
Bob Marley’s music
Jamaican singer Bob Marley’s music embodies a rich, multi-cultural heritage. Born in Nine Mile, Jamaica, he was teased as a child because of his mixed-race heritage. As an adult, Marley transformed the world by becoming an innovator in the emerging music industry. His lyrics communicated his political views and shared the fundamental elements of music. These influences led to his iconic music, which became an internationally recognized standard.
“Judge Not” is another classic song from Marley’s era. The song was based on the experiences of African-American soldiers who served during the Civil War and were then sent to fight the Native Americans in the West. Because of their black skin, the Indians called them “buffalo soldiers.” Marley related to this irony by writing about how his fellow black men were forced to fight an oppressed group. In addition, the chorus’ chanting hook resembles that of the Banana Splits’ “The Tra-La-La Song.” Bob Marley never admitted to this connection, however, despite numerous requests.
Songs of Freedom is a four-CD retrospective of Marley’s career. The collection features a wide variety of tracks from the late reggae legend. Songs of Freedom features a range of popular favorites, including “Rastafari Love” and “Redemption Song,” among others. Bob Marley’s music continues to grow in popularity, particularly in Africa. The album has reached mythic proportions, earning Marley induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Bob Marley’s Exodus is also considered to be the best album of the twentieth century, according to Time magazine.
His Rastafarian faith
In the late 1960s, Bob Marley embraced elements of the Rastafarian religion, which he called “Rastafari.” He grew dreadlocks, a style based on the Old Testament prohibition against shaving and baldness. He also adopted a strict diet that follows Old Testament rules, and he began to grow dreadlocks, one of the most prominent symbols of his new faith.
Some Rastafarians regarded Marley’s conversion to Christianity as a betrayal of his religion, but his cancer diagnosis broke down those impediments. Bob Marley accepted his Christian baptism in 1980, taking the name Berhane Selassie (Light of the Trinity). He reportedly cried for 30 minutes before accepting the new name. While his new religion was not immediately accepted by his Rastafarian followers, many believe that Marley became a Christian out of a sense of spirituality.
One of Marley’s most famous songs is “One Love,” which was named the song of the millennium by the BBC. Another hit song, “Forever Loving Jah,” is a song of praise to the Rastafarian god. Despite his secular fame, Bob Marley’s beliefs made him a deeply religious musician. It is important to note that the Rastafarian faith is not universal, and many people have mixed-race backgrounds.
His life
It is impossible to imagine Bob Marley without his music, and his song lyrics certainly inspire us to do the same. During his first concert in Paris, the legendary singer was shot, but the assassination attempt did not stop him from performing. Even though his arm was damaged and he could no longer use his guitar, his ebullient, optimistic mindset helped him overcome his injuries and rise to success. He was a man of action, and never ceased striving for his goals despite his injury.
While his birth date is not clear, he did have a love affair with Rita. While married, they both had affairs, mostly with powerful women. Rita Marley had two children with other men, which is believed to be because she was jealous of Bob’s extramarital affairs. In total, Bob Marley had seven children by women other than his wife. This reveals his love for his ‘Rastafari’ faith.
Bob Marley’s music transcended cultural boundaries, and his legacy lives on in the people he touched. His music was popular around the world, and he was hailed as the ‘King of Reggae’. Despite his death in the early 1980s, his music continues to inspire millions of people around the world. Bob Marley was a truly remarkable person. And now, his legacy lives on in his children.