Exodus

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Exodus" by Bob Marley & The Wailers from the iconic album Exodus, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its revolutionary rhythm. This song, released in 1977, carries a powerful story tied to a pivotal moment in Marley’s life. After surviving an assassination attempt in Jamaica on December 3, 1976, where gunmen shot at him, grazing his chest and lodging a bullet in his arm, Marley fled to London. The attack, believed to be politically motivated during Jamaica’s turbulent election period, deeply influenced the creation of "Exodus." Marley had already conceived the album’s title before writing the song, drawing inspiration from the Biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites to freedom, which resonated with his Rastafarian beliefs and the Rastafarian hope for liberation. The song’s chorus, “Exodus, movement of Jah people,” became a rallying cry, blending spiritual and revolutionary themes. It reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and was Marley’s first single to gain significant airplay on Black radio stations in the US, broadening his fanbase beyond his predominantly white college-age and Caribbean expat audience.

Another fascinating tidbit about "Exodus" comes from its recording context in London, where Marley and The Wailers were immersed in the city’s punk scene. Posts on X from the Bob Marley official account highlight how, in 1977, Marley lived on Oakley Street in Chelsea, where he completed the song. This period saw him engaging with punk’s raw energy, leading to connections with journalists like Viv Goldman and the creation of his later track “Punky Reggae Party.” The song’s seven-minute runtime, described by uDiscoverMusic as a “rippling, surging call to arms,” captures Marley’s defiance and hope, recorded at Island Studios’ Basing Street in London. The Bob Marley Museum noted on X that a blue plaque commemorates the Chelsea house where this masterpiece was finalized, underscoring its cultural significance.

Bob Marley, born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Jamaica, began his musical journey in the early 1960s. Growing up in the Trenchtown slums of Kingston, Marley was shaped by the vibrant ska and rocksteady scenes. He formed a vocal group initially called the Rude Boys, which evolved into the Wailing Teenagers, then the Wailing Wailers, and finally Bob Marley & The Wailers, as noted in a post by IrishandChin on X. Alongside Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, Marley honed his craft, recording early hits like “Simmer Down” with producer Coxsone Dodd. By the late 1960s, collaborations with Lee “Scratch” Perry produced seminal albums like Soul Rebels and Soul Revolution, blending raw reggae with spiritual and social messages. After Tosh and Wailer left in 1974, Marley continued with a new lineup, including the I Threes (Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffiths) and musicians like Aston “Family Man” Barrett. His signing with Island Records in 1972 catapulted him to global fame, with albums like Catch a Fire and Burnin’ introducing reggae to international audiences.

Fans can connect with Marley’s legacy through his official website, which celebrates his life and music, and follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston offers a deep dive into his life, with its Instagram and X accounts sharing historical insights. Fan communities thrive online, with groups like the Bob Marley Fan Club on Facebook fostering discussions among devotees. Websites like Bob Marley Wiki provide detailed fan-curated content, while Reggaeville keeps the community updated on Marley-related releases and events, ensuring the Zoo Freaks and beyond can keep the Tuff Gong’s spirit alive.