How Bob Marley Became the Undisputed King of Reggae Music

Bob Marley was born in rural Jamaica in 1945 to a black mother and older white father. Raised with African folk traditions and converting to Rastafarianism as a teen, Marley championed black empowerment and human rights through his influential music. After early pop success with his band The Wailers, an assassination attempt in 1976 cemented Marley’s mythical status. His album Exodus made him an international icon blending reggae with rock to spread his message globally.Diagnosed with fatal cancer at age 36, Marley undertook a demanding final tour and album before dying in 1981. His funeral in Jamaica drew massive crowds. Marley achieved unprecedented fame for a musician embracing African identity and speaking against inequality. His sound and image as the King of Reggae lives on through endless musical covers and generations of artists carrying his influence. Beyond music, Marley leaves an enduring legacy as a cultural icon who taught marginalized groups not to compromise their heritage to fit society's molds.