Toagaiasa Junior laphing at a writer

Bob Marley, Reggae, alive and well.

May 11th at 36 years old Robert Nesta Marley was captured by death. He was a man of deep religion and political sentiments. He fought his way out destitution to become one of the most influential music figures ever (8). His records have sold multimillion. Times magazine said that Mr. Marley CD was a legacy with future. Bob was the first super star from the third world. Popularized, even incarnate the rhythm of reggae. He was not only a star but a political leader.

This is one of the biggest leaders in history like how we in the U.S had Martin Luther. King Jr and his fight for equality. For me this is one of my heroes that have with a strong grasp a big impact in my life. Although he is still searching for the ending of all suffering, he still lives. In my heart and my soul and in I own ears. Mr. Marley did say that before he left that he does not know what his real name is. For me he has not dead but still hears on this planet continuing his teachings. Because his teaching have been told through his music of reggae he still lives on, because his music of reggae is strong through his followers he is also still very much alive and strong.

Bob Marley was born in St. Ann Jamaica on February 6th 1945 to a white naval officer and a young Jamaican woman. He started singing at a very young age of 16. In Jamaica those days the only way out was music. Through Bob and his two friends they started a band. At 16 Bob Marley and the Wailers sang at local clubs and from there the bands career started to take off. Many record company cheated the band selling there records and leaving the band not getting enough pay checks. But Bob was a very strong man and over came it (5).

Reggae was his choice of style of music that he chose to play and it also fit well with his Rastafarian religion that had a big impact in his life. Spreading the word of Jah that had a respect feel for all. This was a unique style of musical art, trying to bring back a memory of time when music could be soulful, political, brutally honest, and never divisive and could still keep the beet. This style also associated Mr. Marley with the image of a political leader. It also created this image of him hand in hand with reggae.

Reggae has spread all over the world. And for some one to say that no one listens to reggae because its artist has died would not be true statement. My thought would start to have this feel that you are wrong. The art is not dead so I say that the artist is not dead.

Why would people travel from all over the world to Ethiopia to hear him sing? Almost a quarter of a century later Rasta’s and reggae lovers from all corners of the earth like a young man from Japan made the travel to remember him and hear Mr. Marley’s litany lyrics. The Japanese Rasta had made a comment how the music had black empowerment that appeals to every and anybody who is rebellious inside. He also feels the music like every one else (2). I also hope before my time is out I would get a chance to go there to Ethiopia to listen to Bob Marley again.

Reggae is also very much alive in the United States and it very much alive in the western hemisphere mostly in Indian Reservation. Most people would have the same belief that it brings an anthem for Anti Oppression for third world people around the globe even in the reservation. A painter Jennifer said “It’s mostly the lyrics.” Talking about how she understands what the song is talking about and really much relating to it. Very much alive in Arizona often times concerts would have an audience from hundreds of miles away drive down to listen and often reply that they are hungry for it. Many Indians would also say that it has a good beat almost similar to their tribal drumming (3). Songs like So much trouble in the world, Get up Stand Up, and like Buffalo soldiers lean towards a political theme. And songs like Stir it Up, Don’t Rock my boat, and No Woman No Cry would be songs that would lean towards music for the soul. It’s probably because of this reason that most people do still love reggae.

I am very much in tune with the music when I would be listening to its lyrics. I do hear what he says on how people should not live life so fast. We need to pay attention to political events that go around us now days. For me I can relate to what these reggae lovers also feel.

Reggae is also very much spreading and in Hartford is has found a home and has the people smiling. Many agreed that before in the 70s you would go down the road and some one would say to turn it off but now days every one is playing it. The music has also reached out side of the city wall into suburban bars and restraunts where new reggae artist would say that the white audience is stronger then ever. A radio station broad caster shared how it has a universal ear for it and how the exposer has been incredible. The music has also brought the community together (4)

Bringing community or even just small groups of people, reggae does this. It is a type of music that ne could listen to. People could relate to and apply to there daily life.

The musical Art has also reached New Jersey in collage campuses were it is helps recruit students to join the school. Joe Ferry in the studio production and James McLwaiene in studio composition had produced and recoreded about twenty reggae tribute albums for New Jersey based Shanachie records. Ska is the most popular of the choices the students because it mixes well with most music. “Collages kids will always love reggae,” said Jesse Kolber. “Its hypnotic, its amazing dance music, and it has a lot of soul.” Jesse Kolber is one of the many students and is also a band member and front man for their local band L-vation (1)

Because it now is reaching schools it will very much stay alive. As new generation go through the school, students would learn and start to love how music can be a medicine in there life. The things that we also learn in collage will pretty much stay with us through our years of aging and so to learn it in collage students will always remember it.

In Montana it also has reached the University of Montana Western were the volume is turned till it can’t turn no more. Every one listens to it for inspiration to get through the day. When you feel that you can do it because it gives you that feeling that you can do it and you can do it well. You feel that you don’t have to worry about a thing and that you should get up and stand up and go out there and achieve with love. The music has brought the students together making them feel that every one is family and should be respected. Not only the respect for others but our surroundings. The trees, the air, the grass, the world, the black the white and the bright should be respected. It has brought home to many students who have traveled from a far. Reminding them of home and bringing us back to our homeland and how growing up passes by like the wind that passes our hair.

Reggae for me is the people, from the people. It’s like hearing the troubles that you go thorough and someone shares it and teaches me what to do. Its more effective then the news for me. There is nothing we can do for the war but love. If we do not love each other then we will always stay angry and want to fight. Listening to reggae has taught me many lessons and has made me who I am.

Although reggae styles have been changing it still lives on weather it’s from his many sons that are all reggae artists. Or it could be up and rising stars like Bob Marley found that music was going to be there only way out. And who better to sing about trials and tribulation then the people who really has gone through and experienced it.

As long as reggae lives Bob Marley and reggae will always live and now days are still alive and well.