What major music award did Bob Marley receive posthumously in 2001?

Bob Marley received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2001. The Recording Academy honored him for his lasting creative contribution to recorded music, nearly two decades after his death in 1981.

Marley was among the artists recognized that year alongside The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., and The Who. The award acknowledged more than individual hit songs: it recognized his role in bringing Jamaican reggae, Rastafari-inspired themes, and socially conscious songwriting to a worldwide audience.

This honor is often confused with a competitive Grammy category such as Best Reggae Album. Marley did not receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for one particular album; it celebrated his overall career and influence. His albums Catch a Fire, Burnin', and Exodus were especially important in establishing his international reputation.

Marley’s music continued receiving recognition after his death. Catch a Fire entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010, while the compilation Legend became one of the best-known introductions to his catalog.