Bob Marley & The Wailers’ 1980 classic Uprising has debuted for the first time on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, landing at No. 9 on the week ending July 12, 2025 thanks to an anniversary reissue. This marks the third time in 2025 that a decades-old reggae album enters the chart for the very first time, highlighting a renewed interest in legacy Jamaican music through special reissues and collectible formats.
Originally released in June 1980 as Bob Marley’s final studio album before his passing, Uprising has long been a fan favorite. Yet, despite its cultural weight, it never charted on the Billboard Reggae Albums list which started in 1994 — until now. The album’s new chart position follows a limited-edition 45th-anniversary vinyl reissue described by the label as being pressed with “liquid sunshine.” The release was highly anticipated by collectors and reggae purists alike.
Uprising is the third heritage reggae album to debut on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart this year, following Sister Nancy’s One Two at No. 3 in April and Peter Tosh’s Greatest Hits at No. 8, both of which were re-released for Record Store Day 2025.
Sister Nancy’s One Two, originally released in 1982, was repressed by VPAL Music and Techniques on blue vinyl with added collector’s items. Meanwhile, Peter Tosh’s Greatest Hits, which was previously only available in Brazil, got a global release via Rhino Records in a tri-color vinyl edition.
Vybz Kartel’s dancehall set, Viking (Vybz Is King) 10th Anniversary Edition is the only other project to debut on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart so far this year at No. 10 for the chart dated February 15, 2025.
Bob Marley Dominates Yet Again
Marley remains the genre’s undisputed chart king. With Uprising at No. 9, he now occupies three positions on the current Billboard Reggae Albums chart: Legend remains at No. 1 for a historic 286 week, and Exodus holds the No. 10 spot.
His Legend compilation continues to make chart history across genres. Though not in the top ten of the Billboard 200 this week, it currently sits at No. 65(down from 64 last week) and at No. 40 on the Top Album Sales chart. With 894 weeks logged on the Billboard 200, Legend is fast approaching the 900-week milestone, a feat matched by only one other album in history- Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon..
Uprising includes several of Bob Marley’s most spiritual and politically charged tracks, including “Redemption Song,” “Zion Train,” and “Could You Be Loved.” The album represents Marley’s farewell message to the world — one of consciousness, revolution, and spiritual resolve.
