Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the impoverished and gave a voice to the oppressed around the world while spreading messages of hope and unity.

His songs, encouraging a positive way of living while rooted in truth, expressed his experiences of struggle and everyday life in Jamaica in a way relatable to all people that made his music universally loved.

 Marley was not so readily and universally accepted at the beginning of his career, and it was not so easy for him to slip into his many roles.

He formed the Wailers in 1963 and with the passage of time, Jamaica and then the world began to understand the messages emanating from Marley, his music, his consciousness and his beliefs.

According to Peter Kaburu: “Bob Marley to me was and still is an inspiration.

He believed in equality and unity.

His music gives me strength to live in a community filled with different cultures.

“His uplifting vibes liberate Africa and help people as an eye-opener.

“He had the same vision of earth as I have -- a world without superiority or inferiority, a world where we are all equal in both race and gender.”

 In reliving his memory, I cannot help but venture onto one of Marley’s most notable quotes.

As a performer and a Rastafarian, he faced my questions about his allegiance when it came to race given the fact that his mother, Codella Booker, was Black and his father, Norval Sinclair Marley was White (it was proven in later years that he was half-Black after all!).

On that issue, Bob Marley had this to say: “I don’t have prejudice against myself.

“My father was White and my mother was Black.

“Them call me half-caste or whatever.

“Me don’t dip on nobody side. Me don’t dip on the Black man’s side nor the White man’s side.

“Me dip on God’s side, the one who create me and cause me to come from Black and White.”

 Remembering Bob Marley is a profound event for me.

Ever since I can remember, I listened to the lyrics of this great man, even back in the days of the eight tracks!

Many have learnt from him.

Right now in New York, we have a rising Jewish reggae sensation in Matisyahu, who has successfully combined the rhythms of Marley and other artistes to come up with an expression of his own.

 To Remember Bob is to remember his songs.

Get up, Stand Up became the official anthem of Amnesty International.

In part, it goes:

 “We’re sick and tired of your ism and schism game,

We die and go to heaven in Jesus’ name, Lord;

We know when we understand,

Almighty God is a living man.

You can fool some of the people sometimes,

But you can’t fool all the people all the time,

So now you see the light,

We gonna stand up for our right!”

 His messages were considered revolutionary for its time, but upon further examination, his thoughts were simply prophetic!

 In referring to the song, I Shot The Sheriff, the Bob had this to say: “I wanted to say, ‘I shot the police’, but the government would have a fuss so I said ‘I Shot The Sheriff’ instead … but it is the same idea.”

Given the world we live in, Marley knew how to adjust, how to manipulate the oppressors and propagate his message for the world to hear.

Exodus [1977] and Kaya [1978] were landmark albums and commercial hits -- and by 1981, Island Records estimated Marley’s worldwide sales stood at US $190 million.

This figure increased exponentially after his death.

In 1994, Marley was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and in 1999, Time Magazine named Exodus as the album of the century.

 More than the fame brother Bob achieved in his lifetime was the words of wisdom he imparted to us all.

“In this bright future you can’t forget your past,” gave us hope for a time to come.

He also preached about falling under the yoke of materialism: “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver and gold”.

 From his position of prominence, Marley acted as peacemaker and champion of Africa during his life.

During the One Love concert in the Jamaican capital city of Kingston 1978, he brought together on stage the leaders of the two main political parties who were bitter rivals and in a show of unity clasped hands, demonstrating that although differences existed, we shall all remain one.

 In July 1977, Marley was diagnosed with a form of kin cancer, malignant melanoma, which grew under his toenail.

He refused to have his toe amputated and the cancer eventually spread to his brain, lungs, liver, and stomach.

Bob Marley played his final concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 23, 1980.

The “live” session of Redemption Song and Songs of Freedom were recorded at this show.

 Marley wanted to die in his native Jamaica, but this was not to be.

On his way home from Germany where he received treatment, Marley became extremely ill and was forced to land in Miami.

He sought medical attention and subsequently died at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami on May 11, 1981.

His final words to his son Ziggy were: “Money can’t buy life”.

Bob Marley was awarded the Order of Merit, Jamaica’s third highest honour, one month before his death.

 Regardless of what has been said, to me, Bob Marley is the definition of the word “Prophet”.

He “is” and will forever be the King of Reggae, the voice of the speechless, the comforter for the weary, the humble lion, the lyrical warrior.