The Honourable Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley, OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician best known for his reggae records. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggaebands the Wailers (1963-1974) and Bob Marley & the Wailers (1974–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and the best-selling performer of reggae music, having sold more than 75 million albums worldwide.^[1] He is also credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.^[2]

Marley's music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica.^[3] His best-known hits include "I Shot the Sheriff", "No Woman, No Cry", "Could You Be Loved", "Duppy Conqueror", "Stir It Up", "Get Up Stand Up", "Jamming", "Redemption Song", "One Love", and "Three Little Birds",^[4] as well as the posthumous releases "Buffalo Soldier" and "Iron Lion Zion". The compilation albumLegend (1984), released three years after his death, is reggae's best-selling album, going ten times Platinum (also known asOne Diamond in the U.S.),^[5] and selling 25 million copies worldwide.^[6][7] In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Marley as the 11th greatest artist of all time.^[8]