Nation Builders Bob Marley

Proclaimed and accepted worldwide as the ‘King of Reggae’, Bob Marley charted his own course in the music industry with passion and creativity as a song writer, singer and performer. He successfully transcended three Jamaican musical genres from the 1960’s through to the early 1980’s – Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae – his most influential musical form. And, after almost three decades since his death, his music is still relevant to millions of people across the globe.

Bob Marley’s contribution to music and to Reggae, in particular, has been internationally and locally recognised. His song, ‘One Love’, was voted the best song of the 20th century, while his album ‘Exodus’ (1977), which stayed on the UK’s music chart for 56 consecutive weeks, was voted the greatest album of the Century by the US based, Time Magazine; the most outstanding achievement an artiste could desire.

In 1981, Marley was awarded Jamaica’s third highest honour, the Order of Merit, for his outstanding contribution to Jamaican culture. As a mark of the highest respect, he also received an official funeral from the Government of Jamaica, when he died in May 1981. His music has also served to influence the creation of Jamaica’s Reggae Month celebrations, which is observed in February each year.