Bob Marley: Reggae’s Political Poster Child

Reggae is a unique genre of music. It is 60 years young and hails specifically from Jamaica. Within its up-tempo rhythms and signature four-beat pace live lyrics that “give voice to the oppressed.”  Reggae music has always had a political undertone; it is baked into the genre by design. So naturally their biggest star, Bob Marley, is reggae’s political poster child.

The humble beginnings

Growing up in Jamaica’s ghettos did not harden Marley. A shy and timid child, it’s hard to believe he would grow up to be a musical powerhouse, giving voice to those with none. In his early teens, Marley was exposed to Jamaica’s ska scene. He recorded “Judge Not” and “One Cup of Coffee:” simple, peppy songs. He created the second half of his moniker, the Wailers, shortly after. Their hit “Simmer Down” won a local contest, and from there, a portal was opened. It was clear to Jamaica that songs of liberation needed to be popularized. And so began Marley’s influence on the world.

Bob Marley at his One Love Peace concert. Photo by Ebet roberts for getty images.

“One Love” peace concert and its politics

Marley was surrounded by political rife. Jamaica’s left- and right-wing parties were puppeteered by gangs. The affiliation caused unnecessary violence in Jamaica, even causing Marley to get shot. Because of the peaceful nature of the Rastafarian culture in Jamaica, both parties felt harmony was necessary. In 1978, the One Love Peace Concert was birthed by none other than Bob Marley. The concert was a bold move to make. It was an even bolder move when Marley grabbed both opposing party leaders’ hands together after his performance. A symbol of peace, it was an iconic moment in Jamaica’s history.

Marley’s discography

“One Love” is an iconic Bob Marley song. Singing woefully “There is one question I'd really love to ask: Is there a place for the hopeless sinner?” The song inspired change for Jamaica. But Marley has countless other songs in his discography that evoke his politics.

Bob marley’s 11th studio album, survival.

His album Survival is an unembellished display of uniting Black people in the struggle against slavery, with songs like “Africa Unite” and “Zimbabwe.” Commanding lyrics like “How good and how pleasant it would be… To see the unification of all Africans” express his stance on slavery and human rights—Black people deserve liberation.

Marley’s song “I Shot the Sheriff” is a fantastic display of storytelling with a political twist. Marley is outrunning a cop and shoots him in self-defence. But clearly in the song, Marley is not guilty and the cop is against him for other reasons. “Sheriff John Brown always hated me, for what? I don’t know.” Unfortunately for Marley, we do know. Sheriff John Brown is discriminating against him for his race. This song accurately croons about police brutality. It is still relevant 50 years later.

Other songs express Marley’s politics around capitalism and what he coins “the rat race.” A song with that very title sings “political violence fill ya city… rasta don’t work for no C.I.A.” His haunting song “Concrete Jungle” exposes the lack of freedoms for Black people, even though formal slavery has ended. “No chains around my feet, but I’m not free, I know I am bound here in captivity.” These songs make clear the slavery found in modern life today. Marley was likely singing about the political violence that kept much of Jamaica hiding behind curfews and dodging bullets. Unfortunately, political violence is still a reality for many countries today, and the message of being chained by capitalism is also a sad reality of modern life.

Marley’s influence

Bob marley and the wailers. photo by adrian boot for kensington hilton.

Marley’s global influence cannot be understated. As much as he brought reggae to a mainstream audience, he was also an influence on society as a whole. The rolling stone puts it perfectly: Marley lives on because he was a truth-teller. And a truth-teller is the pillar of political change, of protesting, of opening the eyes of the public. Marley never sugar-coated a single hardship. And yet, he sang of the possibility of peace and unity for the world. He sang it effortlessly, like he knew the future he sang of existed. Balancing peace and the truth is a hard line to walk. And when it’s done through a political lens, it can be even harder to embody. And yet, Marley has managed the impossible.

Marley forever changed the landscape of reggae and the possibility of songs inciting political change. A poster child no more, Marley has reached prophet status.

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Lashanda Forsberg is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. When she isn’t curled up with a book or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, she has music playing. From r&b to reggae to rap, music is an important part of Lashanda’s life. Coming from a musical family chock full of guitarists and songwriters helps Lashanda relate to and appreciate music. Find her other blog writings at lashandaforsberg.com or read her poetry on instagram @writingsfromsaturn.

Why R&B Needs Kehlani

Rhythm and blues, also known as R&B, is a rich genre of music that has its roots dating back to the 1940s. Since then, it has undergone many facelifts. The current sound of R&B borrows a lot from hip-hop, while its pioneers are mostly soul music. From Marvin Gaye to Brandy to Frank Ocean, R&B has seen its fair share of superstars. But when we talk about modern R&B, there is someone who’s left out of the conversation—it's time to end that.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA AGCAOILLI VIA ATLANTIC RECORDS

Who is Kehlani?

Kehlani has dipped her toes into more traditional R&B sounds, and kills the game with her sultry, modern hits. Artists like Drake and The Weeknd get credited for changing the sound of modern R&B, but Kehlani should be credited too. She's been around for a decade and it's time she gets recognized for her contribution to the genre.

R&B’s History

According to the R&B Hall of Fame, R&B began as a genre that was mostly blues music. From the 40s to the 60s, R&B was heavily based on jazz, blues and even some rock ‘n’ roll. From the 60s through to the late 70s, R&B took on a more soulful quality. In the 80s, we see the emergence of what might be considered modern R&B, taking heavy inspiration from hip-hop. The 90s and 00s continued with a similar sound. The 10s onward pull from all the previous faces of R&B, with more alternative and electronic influences.

R&B’s Divide

I grew up on the soulful tunes from the 60s and 70s, singing along to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. As I grew older, I branched out to the 90s and 00s, growing a love for artists like Brandy and New Edition. But I was not around for either of these phases of R&B as they emerged. I was around for the R&B of the 10s to present. Artists like SZA, Tinashe and Summer Walker showed me how influential the past expressions of R&B were on the new generation. But Kehlani stands out to me the most. She has flawlessly shown how a modern artist can pay homage to the classic landscape of their genre, while retaining a fresh sound.

Kehlani’s Discography

Artists like Tinashe and SZA have a strictly modern feel. Snoh Aalegra and FLO have that quintessential old school vibe. But Kehlani seamlessly does both. Her debut mixtape, You Should Be Here, is chock full of old school R&B songs, like the syrupy ballad, “Bright.” Her debut album, SweetSexySavage, is also full of old school vibes, like “In My Feelings,” which samples, “If It Isn’t Love,” by New Edition.

while we wait 2, kehlani’s fourth mixtape. cover Photo by mia andre

Her newer music is perfectly fresh-sounding, too. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, her pandemic album, is full of new-generation dark R&B. “Hate the Club,” is a sexy and suave tune that would rival a slow jam from the 90s. “Open (Passionate),” a two-part song (a marker of new R&B thanks to The Weeknd) is badass, yet vulnerable.

Her newest mixtape, While We Wait 2, showcases her ability to seamlessly walk the line of both faces of R&B. “S.I.N.G.L.E,” with a Brandy sample and two octave changes, is bouncy and upbeat. “When He’s Not There” is a rhythmic jam about cheating. It understands the assignment of typical R&B classics—cheating is OK as long as you write a song about it.

Why Kehlani?

photo by Blair brown

Certain artists have too much of a hold on R&B and hip-hop. Drake is touted as the poster child for blending the two genres. The Globe and Mail hailed The Weeknd for starting the wave of dark R&B. While these men are deserved in their titles, we should make room for fresher faces. In the LA Times, Tinashe said, “women in general have a harder time taking their well-deserved crowns.” Kehlani herself also said that, “with a female singer of color, there’s so much pressure on us.” It can be hard to step into the spotlight when there is so much against these artists. But Kehlani has what it takes. With her raw vocal talent, ability to walk the line between old and new school R&B, and to boot, her insane stage presence, she should absolutely be a part of the trailblazers of R&B. She is too often left out of conversations. R&B needs Kehlani—let her lead the way.

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Lashanda Forsberg is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. When she isn’t curled up with a book or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, she has music playing. From R&B to reggae to rap, music is an important part of Lashanda’s life. Coming from a musical family chock full of guitarists and songwriters helps Lashanda relate to and appreciate music. Find her other blog writings at lashandaforsberg.com or read her poetry on instagram @writingsfromsaturn.