The city grit of Trench City is an integral a part of Bob Marley’s legend, however the reggae king’s life started in rustic St Ann the place roots singer Zamunda was additionally born.
Marley was born within the farming district of 9 Mile, whereas Zamunda is from Claremont, one other agricultural space which is a stone’s throw away.
Zamunda remembers first listening to in regards to the legendary singer-songwriter by way of elders in his district. Marley, who died in Could 1981 at age 36, would have turned 80 on February 6.
“They knew Bob Marley so I at all times heard about him. I at all times went to 9 Mile as a youth, an’ see the place Bob Marley used to reside, an’ all di ones in di place dat develop with him,” he instructed Observer On-line.
Reggae singer Bob Marley performs in entrance of an viewers of 40,000 throughout a Reggae live performance in Paris, France, on July 4, 1980. (Photograph: AP)
Marley moved to Trench City in Kingston throughout the early Nineteen Fifties to reside together with his mom, Cedella. On the time, it was an expanse of shacks often called Trench Pen that impressed a few of his biggest songs similar to Trench City Rock and No Lady, No Cry.
The 40 year-old Zamunda says whereas he admires Marley’s songwriting abilities, it’s one other side of his message that resonates most with him.
“Inspiration dat I actually get from Bob is yuh gotta carry on combating for what yuh imagine in, which is righteousness, freedom, self-awareness an’ morality. Bob Marley to me is sort of a prophet…he wasn’t right here with us lengthy however di legacy dat him depart with us, my technology can have a constructive outlook on life,” he reasoned.
Cedella Booker was additionally born in 9 Mile the place a lot of her family members nonetheless reside. She died in 2008 and is buried there in a mausoleum together with her well-known son.
Zamunda, whose actual title is Christopher Gayle, has been a recording artiste for over 20 years. Scripts And Scrolls, his first album, was launched in 2016 adopted by Jah Love Encompass Me which got here out in 2023.
