He is one of the greatest artists of all time, and still is. He created amazing music and revolutionized reggae music for the world. Bob Marley died almost 30 years ago now, and his music lives on. But what is upsetting for a fan is that Bob Marley has become a brand over the many years since he passed away. Sure, he saw some money in his days before he died, but the Marley name is worth more than $600 million dollars, 30 years later. Essentially the Marley name became a brand over the years.
Around the world there are pirated t-shirts, mugs, flags, stickers, and pretty much everything else with Bob Marley's face on it selling off the shelves. Now, I'm all for merchandising, but 99% of the merchandise being sold around the world is pirated, and is not official merchandise. Though there are some people in the world who still respect his music and listen to it, his face as a brand has become just as widespread as what matters most, his words.
An Australian news article was quoted as saying that, "Fortune has reported that the Marley brand will be launched in health-care products, likely to include skin-care and herbal supplements, as well as headphones, speakers and a video game. Among the plans is a worldwide chain of One Love cafes with music and Jamaican food." - The Sydney Morning Herald.
Do people really believe that if Bob Marley were alive that he would want to put out a line of skin-care products? No. Do they really think he would endorse video games, let alone anything at all? Do they really think that Bob Marley would take a name of one of his songs and make a chain of cafes out of it? The answer is no for anyone who knew what Bob Marley stood for and sang about. It's the corporate greed that he hated that is taking over his name, and it's unfortunate.
I say, if Bob were around today he would have one thing to say to everyone out there profitting from pirated merchandise and selling his name as a brand...
"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our mind." - Redemption Song
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