Bob Marley

The most transcendent and emblematic figure of Reggae, Bob Marley, was the first Jamaican artist to attain international superstarism by taking the music of his native island nation to the far-flung corners of the globe.

Bob Marley started in 1963 with the group the Wailers and forged a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that became popular with audiences worldwide. The Wailers released some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry. The Wailers disbanded in 1974, and Marley began his solo career when he moved to England, resulting in the release of the 1977 album Exodus, which built his worldwide fame and made him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, selling more than 75 million albums. Exodus stayed on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks and included the UK hit singles 'Exodus', 'Waiting in Vain', 'Jamming', and 'One Love'. In 1978, he released the album Kaya, which included the hit singles 'Is This Love' and 'Satisfy My Soul'. The greatest hits album Legend was released in 1984, three years after Marley died. It subsequently became the best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley died of melanoma on 11 May 1981 in Miami at the age of 36. He was a dedicated Rastafari who imbued his music with a sense of spirituality. He is credited with popularizing reggae music around the world and has acted as a symbol of Jamaican culture and identity. He has become a global icon and has inspired a big merchandise industry.