What Happened On May 11th?

On May 11th, 1981, the king of reggae, the man who brought the sounds of Jamaica to the world, had passed away at the young age of 36.

Marley was born in Nine Miles, Jamaica in 1945, but he grew up on the streets of Kingston. In this district, Jamaican music genres, ska and rocksteady were prominent. 

Growing up, he was derogatorily nicknamed “White Boy,” as he was mixed. His father was a white British naval captain, who was nearly 60 years of age at the time. On the other hand, his mother was a 19-year-old country village girl.

In Kingston, he formed The Wailers, a group that would become the face of reggae music. Their infectious rhythms gave way to their fame.

Marley was a voice for the voiceless. More so, his lyrics were infused with messages of social justice, unity, and Pan-Africanism. Songs like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Redemption Song” became anthems for the oppressed, while “One Love” preached a powerful message of global unity.

What Caused His Death

Tragically, Marley’s life was cut short by a rare form of skin cancer, acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), that he was diagnosed with in 1977. Nevertheless, he refused to let the disease dim his spirit, as he continued to tour extensively. He even held a historic “One Love Peace Concert” in Jamaica in 1978, which brought warring political factions together.

Despite undergoing alternative treatments in both Germany and the Americas, the cancer under his toenail continued to march. Nearing the end of his life, he played his final concert at the Pittsburgh Stanley Theater in September of 1980.

Just a few months later, on May 11th, 1981, Marley boarded a plane to Miami for further treatment. Sadly, his condition deteriorated during the flight. Upon landing, he was rushed to Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, but it was too late. Bob Marley, the man who brought the vibrant culture of Jamaica to the world stage, was gone.

However, his last words were to his son, who was aspiring to be a musician as well. His final words were, “Money can’t buy life.”

What Is The “Rasta?”

Marley was the face of Rastafarianism, which was infused in his music. This belief derived from a religious movement that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s. As it emphasized African roots and liberation, Rastafarianism became intertwined with reggae. 

So, Marley, a devout Rastafarian, wore his faith on his sleeve, sporting dreadlocks to advocate for Pan-African unity. His music strongly represented the Rastafarian message of peace, love, and social justice. Particularly resonating with marginalized communities, Marley’s songs were emphasized when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.

The Face Of Reggae

Going beyond his “catchy” tunes, Bob Marley was reggae music personified. 

Fused with ska, rocksteady, and American R&B, reggae became popular in the Jamaican ghettos in the 1960s. Marley, with his Rastafarian beliefs and socially conscious lyrics, became the genre’s global ambassador. 

Did you know that reggae’s signature sound – that laid-back, offbeat rhythm – is called “skank”? Originating from Jamaican dancers toasting their lighters to the slower tempos of rocksteady, this rhythm created a distinctive one-drop beat. In turn, this became the backbone of reggae.

Now, Marley wasn’t afraid to experiment with this foundation. He incorporated elements of soul, blues, and even gospel into his music, broadening reggae’s appeal. Because of this integration, Marley laid the groundwork for reggae’s future fusion with other genres that we see more of today. 

His musical alchemy made reggae a global phenomenon. By the late 70s, Marley was filling stadiums worldwide, with over 100,000 people attending his iconic concert in Zimbabwe. Reggae wasn’t just music anymore; it was a cultural movement, and Marley was its undisputed leader.

It Wasn’t All Him

Marley established Tuff Gong, a record label that nurtured Jamaican talent and ensured reggae wasn’t a one-man show. Artists like Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, former bandmates from The Wailers, all found success under the Tuff Gong banner.

Following Bob Marley’s passing, the Marley family continues to run Tuff Gong. They’ve nurtured the careers of other Jamaican artists while carefully guarding Bob Marley’s musical legacy.

What Did You Learn?

Even today, Marley’s influence is undeniable. 

Reggae has spawned subgenres like dancehall and ragga, displaying the genre’s adaptability. 

From hip-hop artists sampling his iconic bass lines to pop stars incorporating reggae influences, Marley continues to shape music across genres. 

Bob Marley’s story isn’t just about a musician who achieved global fame; it’s about the ability to transcend borders, spread messages of hope, and unify people around the world. 

So, I hope that you learned something new!

Thank you and see you in the next!