BOB MARLEY
On May 11, 1981 at the age of 36, Bob Marley died from cancer that began in his toe and spread throughout his body into his brain. A month after his death he was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Merit and in 1994 Marley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In December 1999 in Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica artists including Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, Eve, Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff and many more were featured in an All-Star Tribute concert and celebration of Bob Marley’s music legacy. In 2008, a statue of Marley was inaugurated in Banatski Sokolac, Serbia. In 2013, The Grammy Awards presented another tribute to Bob Marley, featuring artists such as Rihanna, Bruno Mars and his song Ziggy and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The Marley family of eleven continues to live on their father’s musical legacy. It is evident that Bob Marley has left a major impact throughout the world. His music continues to promote awareness of political and social issues faced by the African and African American community. It was Marley’s personal values including Pan-Africanism and Rastafarianism which inspired his music.
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