Credit: Dennis Morris, U.K. 1973

Credit: Dennis Morris, U.K. 1973Thursday, February 6, would have been Bob Marley‘s 75th birthday.  In commemoration of the milestone, the late reggae legend’s family, along with Universal Music and Island Records, are launching a yearlong celebration that will include special releases, live performance events and more.

To kick off the festivities, dubbed Marley75, a new animated music video for Marley’s classic ballad “Redemption Song” has premiered on his official YouTube channel. The black-and-white clip was created French artists Octave Marsal and Theo De Gueltzl utilizing 2,747 original drawings.

The video, which also honors Black History Month, uses symbols and images inspired by Marley’s life, music and beliefs.

“From the history of Slavery and Jamaica, Rastafarian culture, legacy of prophets (Haile Selassie the 1st, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X), as well as Bob’s personal life, we take the audience on a journey through allegories and representations,” Marsal and De Gueltzl explain of the clip.

Other plans for Marley75 include the release of rare archival music.  The celebration will also encompass fashion, art, photography, technology, sport and film.

In conjunction with Marley75, Bob’s sons, Ziggy and Stephen Marley, will team up for a special 75th birthday performance at the 2020 BeachLife Festival, which takes place May 1-3 in Redondo Beach, California.

For more information about the Marley75 celebration, visit BobMarley.com.

Bob Marley died in May 1981 of skin cancer. He was just 36.

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