Uprising tribute
Multi-artiste concert, exhibition to celebrate Bob Marley@80
Bob Marley’s 80th birthday celebrations have begun! Under the theme ‘Uprising’, the reggae legend’s anniversary activities kicked off with an exclusive preview of the digital tribute concert live on Tuff Gong Radio (channel 19 on SiriusXM).
On Bob Marley Day, February 6, an exciting list of activities are prepared to impact audiences in Jamaica all day at Bob Marley Museum and fans worldwide via a livestream on Tuff Gong TV’s YouTube channel, at 3:00 pm ET.
The highlight of the livestream celebration is the digital concert featuring a slew of popular and new Jamaican entertainers, among them Mortimer, Bugle, Kumar Fyah, Naomi Cowan, Quan Dajai, Kelly Shane, and Alexx A-Game. Several of them were featured in the Bob Marley: One Love movie.
Other features included in the livestream include a teaser of a new Bob Marley music video, a countdown of the best performances from past birthdays, selected new animations about Bob Marley, school choirs from around the globe, standalone performances paying tribute, and a showcase of the ongoing impact of his charitable organisation Bob Marley Foundation.
“Celebrating Daddy’s 80th birthday under the theme Uprising is a special moment for our family and fans worldwide. This album represents so much of his spirit, with powerful songs like Forever Loving Jah, Coming In From The Cold, Could You Be Loved, and Redemption Song, which continue to inspire generations,” shared Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group of Companies. “Each year we honour his legacy in a way that unites our extended family, friends, and fans from all corners of the globe. This 80th milestone is a reminder of his timeless call for love, resilience, and freedom.”
February 6 at Bob Marley Museum will be a day full of festivities. Come noon, LIVE AT BOB’S will give attendees a series of intimate acoustic performances on the deck of the new Marley Natural Dispensary at the back of the Bob Marley Museum. Performers will showcase Bob Marley’s grandchildren Yohan Marley and Mystic Marley, and highlight performances from Ras I, Hezron, Christopher Ellis, Janeel Mills, Lymie Murray, Runkus, Amanyea, Hailie Celestial, Black Am I, Shandre Music, Jay Summa, and the Wake Up Jamaica choir.
The day will open at 7:00 am with the traditional blowing of the Abeng and Nyabinghi drummers at the music along with a marching band leading into the opening ceremony. This presentation will include tribute performances from schools across the island. Usually a private event, this year the public is invited to participate.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, the entire front of the museum will be transformed into a family-friendly Kid’s Village with fun activities for all ages. It will offer engaging, hands-on experiences for young fans, including the virtual reality and robotics booths, a recording studio that will allow children to explore Marley’s legacy, and Sip & Paint as well as ceramic art & jewellery-making stations to foster artistic expression and cultural education. The event will also feature a Bubble Art Zone, festive balloon art, a ball pit, face painting, and a petting zoo in partnership with Hope Zoo, for a day of joyful play and celebration. Additionally, there will be storytelling by Amina Blackwood Meeks.
Visitors to the Bob Marley Museum on February 6 will even get to indulge in new digital features. In an unprecedented fusion of Bob Marley’s timeless legacy and cutting-edge innovation, the museum will unveil a revolutionary experience of exhibits and murals that ‘come to life’ and bring fans closer to the legend than ever before.
There will also be a Bob Marley experience exhibition, featuring the talents of internationally celebrated artist, Mr Brainwash (who has mounted similar exhibitions in honour of Marvel comics legend the late Stan Lee as well as in the city of Los Angeles) and movie nights every Thursday in February.
To wrap up the day of celebrations, the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will present a Bob Marley tribute concert, live from Emancipation Park, beginning at 7:00 pm on February 6. This will also be broadcast live on Tuff Gong TV’s YouTube channel.
Uprising is the 12th studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers and the last one to be released (June 10, 1980) during his lifetime.