In many aspects of life, people often refer to substance and style in a way that suggests that they are mutually exclusive. I strongly believe that one does not exclude the other. Regardless of what a person chooses to design, he or she can create a product that combines substance and style. Music is no exception to this as Bob Marley embodied that concept.

Marley’s music has both substance and style. His lyrical versatility allows his content to be deep and uplifting. Listeners of his lyrics are taken on a journey whose stops range from love to social commentary. Bob Marley’s lyrics were said to have inspired African freedom fighters to persevere (in countries such as Zimbabwe) during their fight for independence. Today, Bob Marley and his music are synonymous with human rights and hope all over the world.

Bob Marley also deserves credit for discussing painful issues in a way that was unapologetic yet unsupportive of gratuitous violence. Artists today should keep this in mind as gratuitously violent music of all genres thrives in popularity. There is no excuse for gratuitous violence in music. Artists can produce music that contains both substance and style. All it requires is spending more time working on one’s craft, going the extra mile as far as creativity is concerned.