Nairobi — Tomorrow marks exactly 27 years since Bob Marley passed on the morning of May 11, 1981. Indisputably, the charismatic virtuoso appears to have defied the test of time.

The iconic singer, composer, lyricist and artiste, Nesta - his first Latin name, which translates to 'messenger' - still 'sings' and reigns, even in death, as the 'king' of reggae and a forceful composer of all time.

His popularity has hardly waned with the relevance of his conscious lyrics being still felt over three decades down the line. In parts of the globe, appeal for Marley's music grows by leaps and bounds. Legions of new audiences, many born long after he passed on, easily associate with his thought-provoking songs.

Marley, described as one of greatest lyricists since renowned biblical Psalmist King David, has also been credited as "a quintessential artiste, so magnetic, influential and conscious of the contradictions of his place in society, time and mission."

Elsewhere, he is perceived as most accomplished musical peacemaker from the Third World. His claim to fame hinges on the pivotal role he played in a silent 'revolution' that won reggae music acceptance as a significant form of non-violent protest and African music.

Few musicians, even contemporaries, have managed to rival his mass sway and impact globally. But nearly three decades after he bowed from stage, the search for a 'new' Marley is endless.

The probable pursuit for the 'king of reggae' mantle has so far, proved to be elusive, almost futile and perhaps even impossible. "The search for a new Marley - with a comparable vision, personality, artistic verve, the magic crossover appeal and touch - has only yielded flawed contenders," writes journalist David Prickle, in a past Rolling Stone magazine edition.

Talking about his songs, the artiste says: "There is no end to this music. It is one of the vehicles to help free humanity from the shackles and bondage of pain and oppression." He seemed to pitch most lyrics he penned from a down-to-earth, people's eye-perspective.

According to his mother, Cedella Marley Booker, who died last month, there was always something unique about her son. "Everything he did had to have meaning in his life, he often acted like there was no tomorrow," she said in a past interview. "Every work he did seemed part of his true mission in the world - which was his music."

Marley on stage and in concert with the band, Bob Marley & the Wailers. In spite of dying nearly three decades ago, Marley is the most widely known performer of reggae music and is credited for helping spread reggae to the worldwide audience

His widow Rita, thought the artiste essentially symbolised a lot more than he gets credit for. She says: "He represented a way of life far beyond his time and that is why his memory lingers, so much alive now, perhaps than ever."

In a chat with this writer a few years ago, late Cedella recounted insights about Marley's early days, shedding light on how his interest in music took root.

"His growing up in upcountry had something to do with the lure to music. He would walk the donkeys, milk cows or herd goats in the wild bushes in our hilly Nine Miles home," she recalled.

When the sun went down, Cedella would occasionally, notice as he tried to listen to crickets screech and coo at each other in their jagged off-beat, cross rhythms.

"He probably imagined how nice could the disjointed melodies sound if they were harmonised as music," she noted.

"My mother ensured my upbringing was firmly rooted in spiritual, religious beliefs and this became the foundation of my conscience," Marley told a US freelance journalist Larry Katz, a month before he died in 1981.

Marley's mother, the late Cedella Marley Booker in an interview with the writer a few years ago

Marley later developed interest in welding - though unwittingly, he had embarked on the 'path' that gradually spawned his musical career. His welder-employer, Desmond Dekker, was also a skilled guitarist and pioneer composer of Ska music, the fore-runner rhythm, which evolved into the syncopated reggae beat.

After spending the day teaching the then 15-year-old ambitious lad rudiments of welding, the pair would frequently relax as they perfect their expertise in tune harmonisation.

It is this joint effort that inspired the song Honour Thy Father and Mother, which became a hit in early 1960s Jamaican charts.

Dekker later introduced Nesta to Jimmy Cliff, who encouraged him to do an audition at the studio.

And months before 17th birthday - his debut 1962 song was recorded aptly titled Judge Not, perhaps a subtle warning he was getting started. But at the onset, his career got off on a shaky start, falling victim to a series of rip-offs.

It was not until late 1960s that Nesta earned his first non-Jamaican credits - as a song writer. This was after veteran US singer Johnny Nash produced his formative cuts Stir It Up, Guava Jelly, One Cup of Coffee, Music Lesson, Tell the Lord, Soul Shake Down and Nice Time among others on his label.

By dawn of 1970s, he could no longer be ignored. The trimmings of a prolific composer and star in the making were obvious. In the subsequent years, he penned an estimated over 500 songs, some in demo versions, which still remain unreleased.

But only a paltry 14 official albums - often referred to as the Fourteen Scrolls of Honourable Nesta - Bob Marley, had been recorded before his passing on.