most people i know got into him in high school and college and it was about smoking weed or that was part of it.

i didn't know about any of that until later. his songs are legit. one of the best songwriters ever. no other reggae artist will ever be on his level. he was lennon and mccartney combined as far as his pop sensibilities but with that reggae skanking. and the lyrics were universal. his love songs transcend genres and even a song like 'get up stand up' with the verse about hallie selassie being god just fuking hits and it like makes you feel like you're in his position for that moment. that's really powerful chit. he's elite.

i'd rank him above bob dylan. def above springsteen. above tom petty, but that's closer. he had a really positive message. world would be a better place if everyone was more like that.