‘Bob Marley: Legacy’ Cops Webby Nomination, Skip Marley Kickstarts ‘Marley Sessions’

On 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday and Stephen Marley’s birthday, the Bob Marley Legacy Series also got a coveted Webby Award nomination for Best Video Series in the music category. 

“Bob Marley: Legacy is a 12-part mini-documentary YouTube series, featuring a collection of intimate conversations and interviews with his family, friends and fans, woven together with his original music, remixes and covers,” according to the Gong’s official website.

Seven of the twelve clips appear on Bob Marley’s official YouTube channel, and titles such as 75 Years A Legend, Freedom Fighter, and Rhythm of the Game have captured the attention of nearly 4M viewers worldwide. 

Established in 1996, the Webby Awards recognizes the best websites, podcasts, apps, and other internet services for 2020, and winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 18 at a virtual awards show hosted by Jameela Jamil.  Fans may vote on the People’s Voice Award online until closing on Thursday, May 6.

Estate Launches Marley Sessions On The Anniversary Of Rastaman Vibration 

On April 30, the Marley Estate and UMe premiered “MARLEY SESSIONS”, the latest in the audio-visual Youtube lineup commemorating the King of Reggae’s legacy on his official YouTube channel.

Marley’s Grammy-nominated grandson Skip Marley kicked things off with his acoustic rendition of Three Little Birds. In the coming weeks, the all-star session will also feature Julian Marley, Jacob Collier, Sheku Mason and more.

Back in 2017, Stephen Marley told The Gleaner an event called Sessions at 56 would be launched that September at the Bob Marley Museum, 56 Hope Road. “It is a nice setting that will have an organic vibe with live acoustic performances and musical improv,” said Marley. While the local gig never materialized, it seems the team revamped the concept for a virtual crowd.

Skip’s performance was everything his uncle described, a lively set with the limited audience members chiming in on the cheerful chorus.

45 years ago on April 30th, 1976, Marley released his 8th studio album Rastaman Vibration. A striking blend of revolutionary verve and commercial appeal, the suite brought Bob Marley & the Wailers chart success, becoming the band’s first US Top 10 hit & reaching No.15 in the UK. Standout tracks include War, Bob’s take on Haile Selassie’s philosophical United Nations sermon in 1963. “Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior/Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned/Everywhere is war.”

Another track, “Roots Rock Reggae” is a groovy instrumental carrying the best selling legend’s then ambitions – “Play I on the R&B/Want all my people to see/We bubblin” on the Top 100/Just like a mighty dread” – all of which have long surpassed the early prophecy.