04 Nov, 2009
Marley Family Heirs Continue the Reggae Tradition in San Diego
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: beaches| california| dining
Reggae Music in the Marley tradition will be presented at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, as Bob Marley’s sons, Julian (JuJu) and Stephen Marley perform their own hit music. You can’t tell the sons of the late, great Bob Marley that reggae music has no future. With several Grammy awards under their own belts, Marley’s kids have grown into musical forces in their own right. Stephen Marley was part of the reggae group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, and began singing with the group at the age of 8.
Concert Date: Sun, November 15, 2009. Time: 8 PM. Cost: $20 adv. Tickets: worldbeatcenter.org
Venue: WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park, 2100 Park Blvd. San Diego 92101 Call: (619) 230-1190. worldbeatcenter.org
When I read a few days ago that the Marley heirs are hiring a firm specializing in trademarks to protect the creative works of the Jamaican reggae legend who died of brain cancer in 1981 at age 36, what piqued my interest was the statement that the family believes there’s a great future in sells of products with the Bob Marley image emblazoned on them, and in his songs. Even after his death, Marley left a legacy of music when 10 times Platinum album, Legend, sold over 20 million copies three years after the legend passed away.
Songs that many recognize include “I Shot the Sheriff”, “No Woman, No Cry”, “Could You Be Loved”, “Stir It Up”, “Jamming”, “Redemption Song”, “One Love”, “Three Little Birds”, and “Buffalo Soldier”.
From Marley’s wife, to his sons and daughters, the family carries the torch in performing and creating music. Marley left a family of 13 children (several adopted, and many born of different mothers. The estate has yielded a sizeable fortune for the heirs, but they recognize that t-shirts, ball caps, purses, buttons, photo calendars and everything imaginable with Bob Marley’s face and famous dreadlocks emblazoned on them are still producing revenue for individuals who are not licensed to sell Marley’s image. Almost 30 years have passed since Marley’s death, and yet the music seems to increase in popularity. Bob Marley was one of the most recognizable reggae performers, but by no means the only one.
Hiring Hilco Consumer Capital (a Toronto-based company) to represent their products and brand efforts, the family is involved in numerous music enterprises and even an organic coffee farm.
About Julian and Stephen Marley who will perform in San Diego:
Recording artist Julian “JuJu” Marley is excited to announce the release of his highly anticipated record, Awake, on May 26 via Ghetto Youths/Universal. Recorded at the Lion’s Den in Miami, Florida, and Tuff Gong in Kingston, Jamaica, the music and message presented throughout Awake is rife with the inspiration of all the family who have come before. This set of hypnotic beats and soulful vocals was inspired by life and spirituality and incorporates the roots-reggae sound that Julian has made his own, infused with street-energy hip-hop, bubbling dancehall, and a smooth combination of R&B and reggae. The album features collaborations with brothers Stephen Marley on “Little too Late” and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on “Violence in the Street” and rapper Mr. Cheeks on “Oh Girl.” First single “Boom Draw,” an easy roots-dancehall tune will impact radio on XX and is now available exclusively on iTunes. The release of Julian’s 1996 debut album, Lion in the Morning, launched the talented musician into the public eye. The record was followed by a successful international tour with The Uprising, performances with the Ghetto Youths Crew, an opening act slot with the Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers world tour, a Marley Magic family performance during New York City’s Central Park Summer Stage series and a featured artist position on the 1997 rock-oriented Lollapalooza tour. Julian has toured extensively with Damian and worked together with Stephen and Damian on the 1999 production of the platinum-selling Chant Down Babylon, a remix album by various hip-hop and rock artists covering Bob Marley & The Wailers songs.
Stephen produced much of his brother Damian Marley’s three solo albums, most notably 2005’s Welcome to Jamrock, where he was featured on the tracks “All Night,” “Pimpa’s Paradise,” “For the Babies,” and “Hey Girl.” He also produced for brother Julian Marley, and executive produced and performed on the 1999 Bob Marley mash-up, “Chant Down Babylon”.
In 2003, Stephen and brother Damian put together an album called “Educated Fools” under the group name of Marley Boyz. They recorded it on labels Ghetto Youths International and Tuff Gong International. Marley brothers collaborated with other reggae artists such as Bounty Killer, Capleton,Spragga Benz, Buju Banton, and brother Ky-Mani Marley.
