HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBERT NESTA MARLEY!

Who is Bob Marley?


Bob Marley was just a man , like us , like you , like the whole world , but at the same time he wasn't. People should be like him , not literally but just like him they should care about their brothers next to them . Sure he wasn't the first and not even the last to dedicate his life to others but sure he may be a model to follow. 

He was rastafarian and his music was made to spread his religion.

The Rastafari religion began in the 20s and 30s in Jamaica. His members are known as Rastafarians, dreds etc.. , the most famous among them is Bob Marley . Jamaican reggae music increased the interest in this religion . The name Rastafari is taken from Haile Selassié I which is called Ras Tafari. He was the Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 . The Rastafarians believe that after Jesus, Haile is a second prophet come to give back Africa to Africans . Black people are the chosen ones by God and Africa is their promised land where the black community , living in exile as the result of colonization and the slave trade , has to return . The repatriation from Babilonia (our society) to their homeland is the theme of Bob Marley's songs. 

Rastafarian are often recognised for the style of their hair , they can't cut their hair and they grow it into dreadlocks. The Lions is the symbol of Rastafarians and their dreadlocks represent the lion's mane. The typical hat is the Tam with the colours of the flag of Ethiopia. The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes the ritual use of marijuana, the avoidance of alcohol and strict dietary laws like vegetarianism. 

Bob Marley with his music wanted , besides spreading his belief , to spread peace . 

His music , he said , would become more and more popular and would get to the right people . He was right, his music has become famous but it has not come yet to the whole world . He thought the whole world should listen to reggae music and be peaceful.

A good thing about music is that when it hits you it does not hurt!!! Let's let reggae music hit our hearts! 

Here are just a few of his most famous songs  

NO WOMAN NO CRY: This song is perhaps the best known of Bob Marley and it was released in 1974 in the album Natty Dread. It is inspired by the ghetto life and encourages people to move forward and never give up because, in the end, everything will be fine. 

JAMMING: It is as if it were an exhortation to the team spirit for all Rastafarians and the believers in God "Jah".

THREE LITTLE BIRDS: At that time Marley used to sit in the garden to smoke weed. Every time he was rolling a ''joint'', three little birds came to peck the seeds that fell. The vision of these three little birds, who ate quietly and in peace, inspired him this reggae song that spoke of not worrying too much about their own destiny.

IS THIS LOVE: It is one of those songs that makes you realize that when you fall in love for the first time you feel the same feeling of lightness and happiness after all.



EXODUS: As you can imagine, it is a song to inspire black people to move from where they are , make an exodus, and go to their promised land Africa .

REDEMPTION SONG: " Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.."
This is one of the most touching songs by Bob Marley , it urges to escape from slavery and to not stand aside and look but to fight for human rights .

This is a tribute made by rihanna and bruno mars to Bob Marley at the Grammy Awards of 2013

Robert Nesta Marley the Legend initiator of the reggae genre was born on February 6, 1945.

So Happy B-day Bob!!!

Erika, M.Adela & Matteo