Jamaica native and radio announcer Nadine Blair thinks Marley has set a high bar for lasting impact. “Years after his death, [Marley] is still influencing the world,” Blair says. “His albums are still being sold and not just by one CD a month….He has [a] legacy.”

For Nigel Wilkenson, a guidance counselor, “Bob is greater, because in his day you didn’t have the media that you have today, yet still he made an international impact. Bolt is great but Bob, with the limitations back then, made a greater impact.”

Student Kennesha Jones, 19, says Bolt is no match for Marley when it comes to unifying people. “Bob Marley managed to make songs that unify people. He helped to push the Rastafarian Movement and we’re still rocking to his songs,” Jones says. “In terms of track and field, Usain Bolt is good. But when it comes to unifying people, Bob Marley gets the edge.”

While Bolt may not have replaced Marley as Jamaica’s greatest cultural export yet, he still has plenty of opportunity. In a recent BBC interview, Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness said Bolt would be welcome to spend his post-retirement days in political office.

“I’ll reserve a [cabinet] seat for him,” Holness said, suggesting perhaps minister of sports. “But you know, Usain could be minister of anything he wants.”

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