Written Analysis-Analysis 5

Theories of Popular Culture and Bob Marley

Without a doubt, Bob Marley has left many lasting impressions on his fan from Europe to Africa, and everywhere else.  As such, the popular culture concepts of heroes and the cult of the celebrity are best related to him.  As a reggae artist and devoted Rastafarian,   he radiates a sense hope to his audience from all corners of the earth, especially in his homeland of Jamaica.  Marley exudes his unselfishness and exceptional deeds through his lyrical message of religious devotion, peace and love, social and political topics.  

Some of the most interesting findings from the analysis I have conducted on Bob Marley are the use of authoritative metaphors in his lyrics, reggae music as a communication tool, and the preacher characteristics bestowed upon him by some scholars.  King and Jensen (1995) stated that his application of religious and social metaphors help established a contradiction amid good and evil which enable a strategic action that offered alternative resolutions to social and political issues.  In terms of reggae music as a tool of communication, King and Jensen went to say that it most effective where there is a high illiteracy rate.  Hodge (2005) pointed out that Marley exhibited preacher like features, especially in his live performances.  

From a scholarly perspective, my thoughts about Bob Marley have definitely increased.  As a fan that has been listening to his music since I was a child, I thought I knew a lot about him. Through my travels and this class, I come to the realization that he is one of the most popular reggae musician and Jamaican in the world.  His work and charismatic presence are must explore.  As such, I am going to seek to broaden my knowledge on him.

References

Browne, R. (2005). Profiles of popular culture. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.

Hodges, H. (2005). Walk good: West indian oratorical traditions in bob marle'ys uprising. Journal of Commonwealth Literature , 40(2), 43-65. doi: 10.1177/0021989405054305. ISSN: 0021-9894.

King, S., & Jensen, R. J. (1995). Bob Marley's "Redemption Song": The Rhetoric of Reggae and Rastafari. Journal Of Popular Culture, 29(3), 17-36