Bob Marley is without a doubt the face of reggae music and the prince of the Rastafarian movement/religion. He’s known all over the world and his message has had great impact on Jamaicans, Caribbean’s and African people. His message was simple: One world and one love. It has been resonating around the world and mobilises youth worldwide to stand up and fight for their right.
To say Bob Marley was only a great artist will diminish his other achievements, but I will not go as far as others to say he was a prophet. Bob Marley was a messenger and a fearless man. Multiple attempts on his life did not stop him to tell the truth and he continued to raise his voice for the poor until his untimely death 30 years ago. Bob Marley, name at birth Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in Jamaica to a Jamaican woman and a white English man. To many people around the world, white or black, young or old, Bob Marley was and still is a role model. He was not materialistic but a conscious and charismatic leader who dared the people to confront injustice.
Today it is 30 years ago that Bob Marley passed away at the age of only 36 years old. On May 11th 1981 the world lost a man with a great vision for the world. There are many theories and beliefs around the cause of his death. But all agree Robert Nesta Marley is no longer with us, physically. However his legacy lives on and continues to grow. Bob Marley shared with us numerous of timeless music during his short life on this earth. I am not going to name all of them. But if you can read this you probably know one.
Bob Marley died 11 days after I was born. Who knew 30 years later I would have a foundation named after his early classic ‘Soul Rebel’. There’s another twist of fate. I’m from Ghana and Rita Marley, the widow of Bob Marley resides since late 90’s in Ghana. She’s enstooled as ‘Nkoso-hene’ (Queen of Development). I hope to meet her one day when I return to my beloved country.
If all of us are put on this earth to do our part, Bob Marley surely did his part. Now it is up to us, the new generation to carry on the banner of peace, one world and one love for all human beings. From The Soul Rebel Movement to the man who coined the phrase Soul Rebel may you rest in peace wherever you are. We salute you.