Bob Marley is a figure whose popularity transcends boundaries of nation and ethnicity; his recordings continue to be sold all over the world and his lyrics remain cited in diverse contexts and occasions while his smiling face “looks out from T-shirts, hats, badges, walls and posters” (Gilroy 226). In the last few decades, Marley became, in Paul Gilroy’s words, “an iconic, godly embodiment of the universal struggle for justice, peace and human rights” (226).

Coming from Jamaica, a country deeply affected by colonialism, slavery and genocide, Bob Marley was shaped by these troubling legacies, which were subsequently reflected in his personal life, music and political engagement. Jamaica, a small island country in the Caribbean Sea, was first colonised by the Spanish in 1494, who

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Citation: Milatovic, Maja. "Bob Marley". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 October 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2940, accessed 19 April 2024.]

2940 Bob Marley 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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