UNESCO added reggae to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November 2018 — recognizing its role as a "vehicle of social commentary, cathartic release, and joyous celebration." Born in Kingston's Trench Town in the late 1960s, reggae evolved from ska and rocksteady. **Bob Marley (1945-1981):** born Nesta Robert Marley in Nine Mile (rural Jamaica) to a white British father and Black Jamaican mother. Moved to Kingston's Trench Town age 12. Formed The Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer 1963. **Rastafari:** Marley converted from Catholicism in early 1970s. The movement (started 1930s) considers Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie divine, uses dreadlocks (Nazarite vow), and marijuana ("ganja") as sacrament. Red-yellow-green-black colors symbolize Ethiopia and Africa. **Legendary albums:** - **Catch a Fire** (1973) — international breakthrough - **Burnin'** (1973) — "Get Up, Stand Up," "I Shot the Sheriff" - **Natty Dread** (1974) - **Rastaman Vibration** (1976) - **Exodus** (1977) — Time magazine "album of the century" - **Uprising** (1980) — his last studio album **Death and legacy:** Marley died of melanoma May 11, 1981, age 36. Kingston state funeral drew 40,000. His estate earns USD 20 million+ annually. Marijuana strain "Marley Natural" launched 2016. **Music tourism:** - Bob Marley Museum Kingston (56 Hope Rd) — his last residence - Nine Mile — his birthplace, mausoleum, mother's home - Trench Town Culture Yard — Government Yard where he lived 1970s - Studio One (Downtown Kingston) — where reggae was recorded **Reggae Sumfest** (Montego Bay, July) — largest reggae festival, 6 days of continuous music.