Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. Two names that shaped the soul of reggae, rebellion, and Rastafari consciousness. Both were founding members of The Wailers. Both used music as a weapon against oppression. And both knew their lives were under constant threat.
But few people know about the warning Bob Marley gave Peter Tosh before his death—a warning Tosh couldn’t ignore… yet couldn’t escape.
The Brotherhood That Changed Reggae
Bob Marley was the face of global reggae. Peter Tosh, the firebrand voice of resistance. Where Marley’s lyrics often soothed and inspired, Tosh’s burned with rage and righteous defiance. From Get Up, Stand Up to Equal Rights, their messages shook colonial structures and rattled Babylon’s foundations.
Though they eventually went their separate ways musically, the bond between them never fully broke. They understood each other in a way few others could.
Marley’s Private Concerns
By the late 1970s, Marley was battling cancer. But even before his diagnosis, he was worried—not just about his health, but about the growing danger around them both. Political violence in Jamaica was at an all-time high. Music and politics had become deeply entangled, and artists like Marley and Tosh were seen as both messengers and threats.
Close friends and insiders have shared that Marley often spoke of the risks they were taking. He reportedly told Tosh in private:
“They don’t like what you say, Peter. One day, dem might come for you.”
At the time, it sounded like friendly concern. But in hindsight, it was prophetic.
Tosh Wasn’t Backing Down
Peter Tosh was never one to soften his voice. After Marley’s death in 1981, he carried the torch of militancy louder than ever. He openly criticized political leaders, the police, and colonial systems. His 1987 album No Nuclear War was a fierce anti-establishment statement that got global attention—and scrutiny.
Tosh didn’t hide. He didn’t censor. He believed silence was betrayal.
But Marley’s words echoed in the minds of those who knew them both. The warning now felt more urgent.
The Tragic Fulfillment of Marley’s Prophecy
On September 11, 1987, gunmen stormed Peter Tosh’s home in Kingston, Jamaica. He was shot dead, alongside others. Though labeled a robbery, many fans and researchers believe it was a setup—targeted, intentional, and politically motivated.
To this day, the circumstances around his death remain murky.
And for those who remember Marley’s warning, it’s hard not to connect the dots.
Legacy and Lessons
Marley tried to warn him. Tosh knew the risks. But neither could compromise the truth they were born to tell.
Their music still speaks loudly today. And perhaps, so does that unheeded warning—a reminder that voices of truth are often silenced, not by failure, but by fearful powers.
“Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” – Peter Tosh
Do You Think Peter Tosh Was Targeted?
Was his death just a robbery—or something more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And if this story moved you, share it—because the message lives on.