If there was any single individual whose musical talent has left a lasting impression on the state of reggae today, then it is was the Rt. Hon. Bob Marley. He picked what was then known as Ska and through a mixture of fate and perseverance transformed it into what we now called REGGAE.
His road to stardom was not devoid of the difficulties associated with ground breaking discoveries. Begotten out of wedlock to a Jamaican mother who was then a minor and the late Captain Marley, a British soldier of the colonial Empire, he was completely a progeniture and a victim of the geo political and social injustices of his time. He ended up in the streets of Kingston at the tender age of seven and had to work to fend for his caretaker and for himself. But adored by many who patronized his clairvoyant prowess, he fought on like a soldier driven by sheer will and the belief that the one who bestowed such prowess on him will never leave him alone nor let him down.
Indeed, he was a conqueror and still is. His message-black consciousness and one love for all mankind-reverberated throughout the world, winning him souls even in the most conservative of societies-Japan. At the peril of his life, he staged the ?PEACE CONCERT? in Jamaica bringing together the most avowed political opponents of his time. His love for Africa was unparallel. The message to Zimbabwe and to Africa was: YOUR DESTINY IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS, NOBODY FROM ANYWHERE WILL RESCUE YOU FROM THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEGRADATIONS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH?. In Gabon, he demonstrated that to the president-the longest reigning on the continent-in his own deeds, as to how that could be done by refusing to play for only the enjoyment of the presidential palace and reached out to the masses.
Back home in Jamaica, the message was purer than pure. Thousands of the less fortunate were and still are on his feeding list till today. Even posthumously, Ghana and other countries still benefit from his endowment and benevolence in the form of health care facilities and other forms of assistances to the needy. No wonder His name remains the most known Jamaican name across the globe till today.
Like a cascade, he set the stage and many have actually dedicated their whole lives to it. One of such individuals is Joseph Hill. His love for Ghana is bottomless, immeasurable and unquestionable. In the last decade or so, he has been to this land that he has historical connections with for four times and is billed to take the stage again to drive the message home. But it is not without our love. We have shown him much of that over the years by patronizing his albums. Testament to this is the fact that his name is a household one in Ghana, no doubt about that!
Knowing him and being fun of his lyrics, I have no doubts about the message which is just about to hit the Ghanaians. It is going to be purer than pure; it will be rejuvenating for our souls and it will intrigue us to ask many questions about the social squalor, the economic stagnation and the political stalemate we seem to be gradually descending into as a nation.
The message cannot be lost on us like the rich man who after his death was begging Abraham to send Lazarus to his father?s house to preach the good news to them to repent. The prophets, the social change agents and the messengers are still out there and the message is going out clean and pure; listen and you will hear.
As Ghanaians prepare to celebrate the posthumous 61st birthday of the legend, Bob Nestor Marley on the 6th of February, we should be reminded that our love for our race and our country should be paramount in whatever we do. There is hope for us as a people but only when we put our acts together and fight together like brothers and sisters with a common destiny shall we overcome our daily struggles.
The rest is now over to Rita Marley, the Marley Family, Joseph Hill, the internationally renowned names on the line-up-Steel Pulse, Chaka Demus and all their crew members. The message should be purer still. Respect!
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