Pan-Africanist and Rastafarian faith legend, Bob Marley known in real life as Robert Nesta Marley, had a significant impact on the interconnectedness of all Africans, as was heard in most of his songs.
It is noteworthy how significantly the Buffalo Soldier crooner influenced the Afrobeats and reggae music genres leading to the rise of artistes who not only looked up to him but emulated his music style and sound in totality.
The reggae legend who has been celebrated for many years, has had the spotlight shone on him once more even after his death with a posthumous album.
Bob Marley’s posthumous album, Africa Unite, pays homage to his timeless songs while quietly fusing them with the sounds of Afrobeats, creating a special legacy for the reggae legend.
Throughout his career, Bob Marley recorded numerous songs critical of European colonialism, spoke out against South African apartheid, and supported the cause of Zimbabwean independence.
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In 1978, he made his first trip to Africa, stopping in Ethiopia and Kenya. He traveled to Gabon afterward and became well-known for his performance at Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebration in 1980.
Rita Marley, Bob’s wife moved to Ghana in the 1990s with the Redemption Song hitmaker’s family, and it is likely that Bob Marley visited them in the West African country.
The ten-track posthumous album combines some of Bob Marley’s greatest songs with a remarkable group of modern African artistes, including Sarkodie (Ghana), with a new version of the singer’s 1973 hit, Stir It Up, followed by a remake of Waiting in Vain with Tiwa Savage (Nigeria).
The Jamaican’s all-time favorite, Three Little Birds, features Oxlade (Nigeria), and Teni (Nigeria).
Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) also featured Afrobeats sensation Rema and Skip Marley with Jamming employing the services of Nigerian songstress, Ayra Starr.
Worldwide hit One Love featured Patoranking (Nigeria) while So Much Trouble In The World starred Nutty O and Winky D (Zimbabwe).
Buffalo Soldier saw multiple award-winning Ghanaian Dancehall star Stonebwoy making an appearance.
Redemption Song featured Ami Faku of South Africa, while Turn Your Lights Down Low had Afro B of Ivory Coast connected.
Before the album’s release, Island Records, the company in charge of its production, stated that it would “celebrate the rich tapestry of African rhythms and melodies as well as showcase the global reach of Bob Marley’s music.” Africa Unite embodies togetherness and the spirit of collaboration by fusing the soulful vibrations of reggae with the contagious energy of Afrobeats, reflecting the late artist’s vision of a peaceful world.
Additionally, the “Africa Unite album will show how Bob Marley’s influence endures, bridging the gap between the past and present.”
According to reports available on online, Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter says the Africa Unite is an album that will showcases the importance of Bob Marley in contemporary Africa. She also said, the musicians who contributed to this album recreated Bob Marley’s famous songs in a style that we know he would have admired.