Who is more popular, Bob Marley or Michael Jackson?
I read an email yesterday that Bob Marley was more popular than Michael Jackson in the non-white world up to the time of Jackson’s death. The email was forwarded from a local paper but did not say if things had changed after Jackson died. It did not give figures about most of Africa for obvious reason as internet penetration on that continent remains low for the most part.
In all of this, when I got the email I smiled because I thought both were kings in their own right but to compare them was a bit unfair to both. And, while it was a good twist to the whole Jackson saga as well as something we should be happy for as Jamaicans and I am happy, I still maintain that to compare them is unfair to both.
Firstly, lest we forget both were loved by white audiences and both are legends. Both also have the adoration of non-white audiences too.
Bob Marley is the King of reggae. His appeal is universal and his music inspired and still inspires millions. He blazed a trail for others to follow and only began to receive most of his accolades in death – an unfortunate occurrence for a man whose work was a rallying cry for the Zimbabwe independence movement.
Similarly, Michael Jackson was the king of pop. He too had universal appeal and he inspired and still inspires millions. He raised the bar in many areas including music videos and broke down barriers where others before him could not.
So, to compare their popularity in my opinion is to compare apples and oranges. You see, I don’t think it is a fair comparison because to do so is overshadow the efforts that both worked to achieve. And, while the world tends to laud the efforts of both men, we should not forget that both had their flaws.
Bob Marley was a womaniser and up until his death did not live in Jamaica. Michael Jackson, well, he was accused of being a paedophile (and note I said accused because he was NEVER convicted) and was thought to have bleached his skin.
Nevertheless, both men should not be compared for more reasons than one. Their popularity, lifestyles and works are different and both will have works outlasting their years.
By Idi Amin
Tags: Africa, Bob Marley, Caribbean Fashion Week, culture, Jamaica, Jamaican entertainment, lyrics, Michael Jackson, music, pop, reggae, rocksteady
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31 Responses to “Who is more popular, Bob Marley or Michael Jackson?”
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Clearly MJ is more popular. Bob Marley is the king of reggae. He cannot be compared or even be said in the same breath as MJ. Just a different class.
Does it matter!! Realy!
What a stupid question. Are you serious!? Clearly Michael is more popular than Bob. Yes, Props to Bob but he is no where close to MJ.
Did anyone of you stayed up to watch a Bob Marley video or commercial? oops he didn’t have any commercial…sorry
Through MJ’s videos, songs and dance which were all world premier makes him by far more popular
Non-white world or not both were black. Bob popularity grow after his death while Michael J has been popular since the age of 10.
As much as I am proud of Bob Marley and his great achievements, i must say MJ is greater, he has touched and soothed the lives of many through his music. He undoubtedly has captured a wider cross section.
AM I THE THE ONLY ONE WHO IS FED UP OF FAMOUS PEOPLE AND HOW WE OVERATE THEM FOR CHRIST SAKE THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES AROUND US EG HELPING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE IN POVERTY THESE ENTERTAINERS JUST SUCK THEIR FANS MONEY DRY LIVE SOME REALLY EXPENSIVE LIFES OF SQUANDERING IT AND WE LIKE IDIOTS JUST SUCK THIS UP AND CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BIT OF STUPID NEWSFLASH ABOUT THEM.BOTH MJ AND BM WILL BE RICHER IN DEATH THAN WHEN ALIVE THEIR FAMILIES WILL NOT HAVE NEEDS.WOT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY,COULD U FONR RITA MARLEY OR THE JACKSONS AND TELL THEM THAT UR FAMILY IS HUNGRY THEY WOULD TAKE U FOR A STALKER AND SET THE BOYS IN BLUE ON U.AV A LOT TO SAY BUT CANT RIGHT NOW BUT U ALL SHOULD GET MY POINT.
They both made great contributions to the music world and should be celebrated regardless of their popularity.
different time’s,however when you are black and trying to be white i have a problem with that.there is and only will be, one bob.
i think it is unethical to compare the 2 bob marley is clearly fighting for rights of the underprivelaged and proud to be black eventhough he is not,while mj who is clearly black have seeked for surgical means to deny his identity he sings for money and spends it extravagantly.1 bob=200 mjs.
well i like them both they have both achieved great accomplishments and both of them made great contributions to the music industry. Also they were both voices for the needy and underprevilaged. I like em both! Rip BM AND MJ
well i like them both they have both achieved great accomplishments and both of them made great contributions to the music industry. Also they were both voices for the needy and underprevilaged. Their work have touched us all no matter what race age or culture theyre both two kings.King of reggae and the king of pop. I like em both! Rip BM AND MJ
Does roots still exist?
Thanks for the site mon.
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST PERSON IN THIS WORLD..GOOD NATURED, INNOCENT, SWEET, HAD MELODIOUS VOICE ETC,, I CANT WRITE IT HERE.. IT NEEDS LOTS OF PLACE..
Good afternoon. I’am french speaker. You’re post interset me a lot. I think frensh are according with that. Sorry for languge errors
Bob Marley will always be a legend and always be number one in the hearts of people world wide for his music and effort in humanitarian struggles…ya can’t compare a true hero like Bob marley to that of MJ……
I would say without fear or favor that it is Bob Marley, Bob used less and produced more, his music was inspirational and educational, Bob survive the pre video era MJ used the technologies and dancing to enhance his thing. Bob played and instrument which in my estimation that gives an artist the edge over another, both men had their faults but almost all of Bob,s music had a message that would emancipate an oppressed person. However MJ,s music like triller, if that was done by another artist it would die at birth, that song was totally enhanced by the zombie created video and like most of his songs he totally depended on videos and dancing to enhance them. Remember this white musicologists labelled Bob the best thing in our time so who is anyone else to question that.
micheal jackson is popular than bob marley by far musicical,finalcialy etc they are the world`s greatest musician`s.god bless both men family`s.
Hey very nice weblog!! Man .. Amazing…I will bookmark your weblog and take the feeds also…
Bob Marley and Michael Jackson were and are, two iconic musicians and performers. Both are eminently popular, although in terms of statistics like total album sales and awards MJ is the “winner.” Beyond mere popularity, however, is the greatness of each artist’s contribution to his chosen musical genre. Both men had powerfully evocative social messages, which will surpass whatever human failings, dysfunctions, illnesses they suffered, and ultimately, their deaths. Long live their music!
There are 4 Giants in the Music world. never to be duplicated or eclipsed.
1.Micheal Jackson (50) “The King of Pop” & the blueprint of a entertainer.period
2.Elvis Presley (42)”The King of Rock & roll” He was brilliant with a beautiful voice albeit learnt from a black background.
3.John Lennon(40).For the Euroupean world & a time gone by.Very influential
4.Bob Marley (36)Gong “The King of Reggae” 1 of a kind & the voice of the oppressed .His music is timeless & trancends all race & creed & still growing.Babies today can sing Bobs Music & Identify . Bob truly was a force of the almighty & everysong has relevance & meaning & not just bar wipe music as he would say.
So they all were great in there own right But Bobs music trancends the cosmos & time & space & will endure forever…..
They both are popular, but the advantage would be for MJ. Everyone remember that Bob Marley died more than 20yrs and michael Jackson died a few months so when you compare Bob Marley still reigns next to MJ after so many years Bob died at 35 or 36 and Mj died at 50yrs so everyone knows him more do the maths. Bob Marley I beleive would be the most Popular after almost 3 DECADES and still REIGNING.
Everybody knows that MJ is more popular than Bob although Bob is A Jamaican and i respect him
Clearly Michael Jackson was more popular and it’s not even close. Even though both careers started in the late sixties, Michael’s was longer and started off more successful. In the case of Bob Marley, apart from Jamaica, he was not popular until he went to England. Until an artist gets into the American market he is not such a huge star. Remember that Bob died just about when he was hitting it big, while Michael died when he was just about ready to pack it in. Now people who were not even born when Bob Marley was alive are now going gaga over his music thanks to the internet. If he was alive today his music would be through the roof.
I have work on cruise ship and travel the world for the pass six years
and trust me Bob Marley is far more popular than MJ i once got special service in Italy becasue i am jamaican and the guy is love with reggage and BoB there where places in spain south asia selling photo of Bob amongs other things i still havne’t seen any of MJ.
CherCher is Right!
Michael is more successful in the West than Marley but he does not have the vibes like Marley, so Michael is more successful but my research show that Bob is more popular worldwide. Then again Michael is the king of pop while Marley is the king of reggae as Millie Small is the Queen of Ska.
Its like we can say Jay Z, is very rich and famous but Beenie Man is more popular based on our world survey and research. Everybody don’t know who Jay Z is in Africa but they know who Beenie Man is. We must bear in mind that most American acts are only popular in the West while Jamaican acts are popular all over the world.
Mass C
The Researcher
MARCY!
Roots still exist but the DJ and sound system people wont give it a chance but if you look and listen carefully you would see and hear that there are still a lot of good conscious and positive reggae music out there that the public are not getting.
Only Reggae and Green Jobs shall stand in the end which is about happening now. Obama’s change will affect music generally and globally. Guaranteed.
Long Live the Future of Reggae,
Mass C
The Researcher
Re:THE POPULARITY OF BOB MARLEY /MICHAEL JACKSON—WHY COMPARE-THEY”RE BOTH GONE…
AND DID NOT ASK ANYONE TO AWAKE THEM WITH
DID/DO YOU LOVE ME OR MY MUSIC?…..
LET THEM BOTH REST IN THE LOVE AND GIFTS
SHARED EQUALLY OR UNEQUALLY—IT MATTERS
THAT BOTH CONTRIBUTED TO THE MUSIC WORLD
MUCH MORE THAN MOST HUMANS WILL EVER
IMAGINE…
IMAGINE THIS—IF WE AS HUMANS COULD LET GO
OF OUR JEALOUSIES, IGNORANCE, NEGATIVITY,
PERHAPS MORE OF OUR POSITIVE ENERGIES COULD
BE DIRECTED TO A UNIVERSAL CALLING…
SO, INSTEAD OF COMPARING GREAT PEOPLE PASSED
ON/OR LIVING—FIND OUT, GET BUSY,AND GIVE BACK TO THE UNIVERSE.
THEN, THERE WOULD BE LESS TIME TO COMPARE,JUDGE,AND MAKE COMMENTS LIKE “WHO CARES”…..
DID YOU GET MY MESSAGE AND P-O-I-N-T?????
Deelilah RUSALEN
You cannot compare the two persons.
Both are legends.
This is a foolish debate.
Would you compare Eminem with Frank Sinatra? No
Am kenyan.Michael was a fad or a bubble sustained by the elite but Bob was a grassroot man sustained by the people.If Bob wud have visited kenya,Millions wud hav attended forcing their way into the stadia without paying(thats the passion) but no newspaper wud have covered him(elitism) or any sponsor ;jackson wud hav gotten all media attention,few thousand wud hav attended bt magnified by media n gotten corporate sponsorship.Michael,who bleached his skin 2 luk white, neva sang uplifting song-save few 4 marketing or tokenism;Bob,a white guy who turned blak by choice, sang upliftin songs as a duty.
It soo sad that the most authentic, passionate and progressive black people of our times ,Bob and Obama,were neva truly blacks.the real blacks dont really love their race(hence they do things to bring down themselves and the race eg glorifying drugs,sex and violence thru music n black people applaud them rather sing about virtues ).I think Blacks are an inferior race coz I have neva seen a race working against its self-interests as black people do.