Jamaica celebrates Bob Marley's birthday at Emancipation Park

Jamaica: Bob Marley’s legacy was celebrated on his birthday in Kingston with thousands gathered for a concert at Emancipation Park in his memory.

There are few Caribbean figures as influential as Bob Marley, one of Jamaica’s proudest exports. The singer/songwriter became a global symbol of reggae music and the Rastafarian movement.

Considered to be a reggae pioneer and Rastafarian icon, Marley solidified his eternal legacy through his words of kindness and compassion, upholding his Caribbean culture with pride his character is considered to be a role model in many Caribbean homes.

When alive, not everyone approved of his flamboyant and open minded ways, on the 3^rd of December 1976, seven armed men raided Marley’s residence and opened fire, even though he received wounds on his chest and arm, an injured Marley went on to perform a 90 minute set for 80,000 people in the audience for his commitment to peace.

Because of acts like these, Marley is still widely celebrated all over the globe, and there is no better place to see it than on his home soil of Jamaica.

On the 6^th of February 2024, thousands gathered at Emancipation Park to honour his noble life. The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports and Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum hosted the second staging of a concert to mark the birthday of the reggae icon. Artists of all walks paid tribute with song and music, the same night the film Bob Marley: One Love premiered in Los Angeles. Some of the artists include Esco Ley, Jah Fabio, Nadine Sutherland and many more, they performed hits by the legend and occasionally played some original tracks as well.

Minister Olivia Grange also made a surprise appearance via a pre-recorded message which played on the larger screens at the venue and shared her message of love and tolerance. The Messenger, Luciano, closed what was a perfect celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday, including global hit, “Your World and Mine”, “Small Axe”, “Glory Be” and many more while spreading togetherness and positivity.