“Every little thing is gonna be alright”
In this Black History Month special, Student Ambassador Kristy shares why Bob Marley is an inspiration to her and takes a look at his incredible life.
Growing up in the Caribbean, where it is truly a melting pot of cultures that complement the rich grandeur of the people, there are many icons who have graced our collective soils with their talent and splendour. Bob Marley is an excellent example of this. He has been a great inspiration to me and many others by his seemingly always positive attitude and mindset even when he was facing terrible struggles. Everyone, in one way or another, is influenced by music, and I believe Marley’s music is one of the more excellent options to not only soothe your worries with its Caribbean twinge, but also build you up when you’re feeling down by his uplifting lyrics. It lets you feel that no matter how difficult your troubles may seem, you will be able to overcome them.
In the mid-1940s, a man destined for greatness and powerful influence was born in the district of Nine Mile in the Caribbean country of Jamaica. At the time of his birth, no one could quite imagine the great heights that Robert Nesta Marley; affectionately dubbed ‘Bob’ Marley would soar to in his short life.
Growing up in rural Jamaica, to a young mother, and an absentee father, who passed away when Marley was at the ripe age of only ten years old, Bob’s story was one that many would say was destined to be filled with hardships and a probable less than happy ending. However, the young Marley took his passion for music and songwriting, bestowed upon him by his maternal grandmother, and he trail-blazed a path that very few would be able to match.
After leaving his grandmother’s home in Nine Mile, and moving to Trenchtown, Marley’s talent and his zeal for success flourished as he, and some of his childhood friends, formed various bands and vocal groups and began creating music that saw the influence of American Ska and R&B, as well as adding their own Caribbean spice to their art. The most known was that of ‘Bob Marley and the Wailers’.
What was so influential to so many people however, were the extremely heartfelt and well-spoken messages that these young men infused into their music, that shot them to the top of the Jamaican music charts in a very short amount of time. If we now fast forward to the later years when Bob finally was able to synch a solo label opportunity, the man’s resilience certainly then comes to the forefront.
Even with the disbandment of his vocal group looming over him, he refused to accept failure, and branched out with a new backing band, which included his loving wife Rita, who supported him until the very end. Bob managed to earn a spot in the Top 50 of the Billboard Soul Charts in the United States with his innovative album titled ‘Rastaman Vibrations’ which he released in 1976. This album was a homage to his own beliefs as he was a proud and longtime member of the Rastafari movement which heavily strong-armed a reggae influence into his music and lyrics.
However, as with any amount of recognition and fame paired with the bright lights and adoring masses, there will be many low points that even affect the strongest men. Marley saw many dark days from very early on. Stemming from his poverty stricken, and fatherless childhood to an assault and an attempt on his life two days before his concert, ‘Smile Jamaica’. History depicts that the peace-loving Marley was set to perform at a rally intended to ease political conflicts within Jamaica; but before he was able to take the stage, he, his wife and his manager were attacked and shot in his home.
However, never one to be held down, an injured Marley still performed in support of the effort for harmony- a principle that his faith taught him well and in which he strongly believed. It proved quite fruitful since, in 1978, at another political rally, he invited the two leaders of the warring parties onto the stage and they shook hands as a sign of peace and good faith fitting right in with the name of his show- ‘One Love Peace Concert’.
After the assassination attempt however, Marley, a pacifist, then decided that it was in his best interest for the safety of himself and his family to leave Jamaica and relocate to England to do some much-needed soul-searching. Whilst in England, he started exploring his support of his Pan-African heritage and dove more deeply into the teachings of Marcus Garvey. He became inspired and penned many hits that showed his belief in the unity of Africans worldwide-songs such as ‘Zimbabwe’, ‘Exodus’, ‘Redemption Song’, ‘Buffalo Soldier’, ‘Blackman Redemption’, and ‘Survival’- all excellent songs signalling the harsh realities and subsequent freedom from the African diaspora.
Bob Marley’s path burned bright when he was alive, and it still burns to this day; with very little chance of fizzling out even after his untimely death due to his melanoma diagnosis in 1981.
Lastly, what is arguably his most well-known song, as with most of his works, preaches positivity and good vibes, no matter what your situation or circumstance is. His lessons simply are; no matter what struggle or trials and tribulations you face, we shall overcome them. The iconic lyrics spoken by the son of Jamaican soil, reverberates throughout the entire world as such “rise up this morning, faced with the rising sun, three little birds, pitch by my doorstep, singing sweet songs; of melodies pure and true; singing this is my message to you; every little thing is gonna be alright”.* It is with great hope that Bob Marley’s star will continue to shine on and fill the generations to come with messages of light and inspiration, as it has given me.
* ‘Three Little Birds’, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Exodus Album, 1980.
Kristy studies LLB Bachelor of Laws in Trinidad and Tobago
This page was last updated on 24 October 2024