Bob Marley Day: COSON, fans laud legend’s enduring legacy

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) on Sunday lauded the contributions of  late Jamaican Reggae legend, Bob Marley, to the growth of global entertainment industry.

Chief Tony Okoroji, COSON Chairman, said this during an interview in Lagos, in commemoration of “Bob Marley Day”, marked on Saturday.

Bob Marley Day is celebrated on May 11 to honour the late Reggae singer, guitarist and songwriter who was considered one of the pioneers of the genre.

Bob Marley fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady in his music and was renowned for his distinctive vocal and songwriting style.

He died June 11, 1981.

Okoroji described late Bob Marley as an incredibly outstanding artiste.

He said the late Reggae legend possessed fantastic songwriting style, such that his music still resonate with all even 43 years after his demise.

According to him, Bob Marley usually came up with beautiful lyrical content.

He urged Nigerian up-and-coming artistes to emulate his style of musical composition which conveyed morals and inspired  the listeners.

“Bob Marley was an incredibly outstanding artiste whose music still resonate with us.

“People are not tired of celebrating his music. This is because each of his songs touch on unique subject matter and the songs affect people differently.

“He was one of the great artistes of our generation.

“The up-and-coming artistes need to emulate his good virtues as a musician,” he said.

In separate interviews, some of the late artiste’s fans lauded his impact on reggae music, culture and identity.

Mr Folabi Ogundipe, said that the singer influenced his audience through his songs.

“He was awesome because he was a leader and not just a singer or an artist and it is important to note that the critical component of any leader is his ability to influence the audiences.

“His songs are very educative, constructive and most importantly, it promotes unity amongst everyone which makes his songs to have a lasting impact despite his demise several years ago,” he said.

Mr Ayodele Badejo, a music producer, said that Bob Marley’s songs were powerful which helped in ensuring that  listeners were impacted by it.

“All his songs had powerful messages which in turn impacted the listeners but the unique thing about this is that it wasn’t just about his music but also his rebellious character.

“His lyrics and the passion in which he performed were specifically influential and to many of those who listened to him, his words reminded them of the ‘Gospel,” he said.

Also, Mr Ebuka Ameobi said that the singer’s songs was a voice for the suppressed and less privileged people in the society.

“Bob Marley used his voice and song to speak up for the poor, the abused, the underprivileged and all these are groups who represent vast sections of the global society which do not have a voice.

“He was there to speak for them, protest for them and carry their pains in his songs,”  he said.

Another fan, Mr Richard Elliot advised Nigerian artistes to use their music in passing positive messages to their audiences.

According to him, the impact of songs on its audience cannot be overemphasised.