The Highest-Grossing Bob Marley Albums, Ranked | TheRichest
Unequivocally, there has not been another reggae artist in history from the Caribbean islands that has impacted the world in such an unforgettable way like Jamaican superstar Bob Marley has. His music has shaped entire generations and continues to be an anthem for the oppressed around the world. Although Marley passed away at just the age of 36 in 1981, his music has lived on through his children, and collaborations have been made with modern music artists such as The Wailers, singer/songwriter Lauren Hill, and the late Notorious B.I.G. to name a few. Although his music continues to inspire hope in billions across the globe, he was quite a controversial figure because of his advocacy of marijuana use as part of his Rasta faith. In memory of his legacy, here are 10 highest-grossing Bob Marley albums, ranked.
8 Legend - 28 Million Sales
After his tragic and untimely death in 1981, Bob Marley and reggae and the entire genre of reggae and dancehall music took off astronomically. By 1984, a compilation album by Bob Marley and The Wailer called Legend was released and was received warmly by die-hard fans and novices alike. Aside from Marley as the lead vocalist and face of the musical enterprise, the other band members included reggae musicians Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Upon its release, Legend peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, giving it the distinction of being the highest-charting album in U.S. history. Also, as of July 2023, the album has enjoyed 790 nonconsecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 album charts, and has sold 28 million records in total since its release.
7 Exodus - 1.625 Million Sales
Still at the peak of his music career, Marley and his band released their ninth studio album in 1977 titled Exodus which sold over 1.6 million records. According to BBC Culture, it was considered an album that defined the 20th Century, as there was a gripping story behind the recording of this album. The album itself derived its name from the Old Testament account of Moses leading God's people to safety, symbolizing Marley's role in regard to his Rastafarian faith. Following an attempted assassination on him and his wife in 1976 sparked by the volatility of the Jamaican elections, Marley fled to London, which is where the album was recorded. His influence, message, and artistic delivery made him the target of opposing forces that considered him a threat, similar to other controversial musicians like Tupac Shakur, who also suffered a similar fate.
6 Uprising - 1.615 Million Sales
Marley and The Wailers recorded their twelfth studio album, Uprising, between January and April 1980 before released in June of the same year. It is considered his most religious album as there are references to his Rastafarian faith made on almost every track. Uprising was produced by Bob Marley and founder of Island Records Chris Blackwell, who also helped to produce many of the band's other albums. Despite its heavy religious references, the album peaked at No. 41 on the US Billboard Black Albums chart and No. 45 on the Pop Albums chart. The total album sales for Uprising came to 1.165 million sold copies, according to Best Selling Albums.
5 Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On - 1.594 Million Sales
There's no denying the fact that Bob Marley's reggae influence on the world helped pave the way for a multitude of other Jamaica reggae superstars to break into the U.S and U.K pop music scene. And that open door lasted for decades after his death. In 1995, under the Tuff Gong and Island Records labels, Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On was released. The album consisted of fifteen tracks, featuring a well balanced mix of Marley's faith-based songs, laid-back songs, and thought-provoking political songs. Natural Mysitc ranked at No. 129 on the Best-selling albums of 1995, selling 1.59 million albums, while having to contend with the budding vocalist Mariah Carey's album, Daydream, which sold 25 million copies.
4 Kaya - 1.556 Million Sales
In March 1978, Marley and The Wailers released the tenth studio album recorded during his lifetime, Kaya. The word "Kaya" is a slang word for marijuana, which gave the album a generally laid-back, feel-good, meditative feeling. Unlike some of his recent albums which were more lyrically militant and confrontational to the powers that be, Kaya's tracks were centered around love songs, such as Is This Love and Satisfy My Soul. Marley's wife at the time, Rita Marley, provided backing vocals along with Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths. Although Marley was accused of "going soft" in light of their more mellow songs, the album still reached the top five in the UK albums chart, and sold 1.55 million albums worldwide.
3 One Love - 1.515 Million Sales
Another compilation album was released in 2001 entitled One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley and The Wailers. Produced again by Island Sounds, the two-disc album contained a total of thirty-three songs recorded from 1973-1980, receiving Gold certification in the U.K and sold 1.515 million album copies. Coincidentally, the biopic of Bob Marley's life entitled Bob Marley: One Love, is scheduled to come out in January 2024, and will be starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, who will be playing the role of the reggae superstar, and actress Lashana Lynch from James Bond: No Time To Die, who will be portraying Rita Marley, according to Collider.
2 Live! - 1.16 Million Sales
Just as it sounds, Live! was the audio album version that was recorded during a live music performance in July 1975 at the Lyceum Theater in London. The recording for the album was reportedly done using Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, which was a mobile recording studio once owned by the Rolling Stones rock band. Marley was 30 years old at the time of the performance, meaning that he was still at the start of his music career. But even with its raw, live sound quality, Live! sold 1.16 million records globally.
1 Rastaman Vibrations - 807,500 Sales
Bob Marley felt destined to spread his Rastafarian gospel to the world, and he was making it loud and clear with his eighth studio album, Rastaman Vibration, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album channeled the struggles, pain, and rage of the Rastafarian community in Jamaica. As a result, the album became popular in the U.S, setting the stage for the other albums that would later be released. Marley's efforts during his life on Earth made way for future Rastafarian artists to reach international stardom, such as Buju Banton, Sizzla, and even newer generations artists like dancehall artist Sean Paul. This album grossed a total of 807,500 album sales.
Sources: Collider, Wikipedia, BestSellingAlbums.org, BBC
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