The son of Jamaican reggae superstars, Bob and Rita Marley, Stephen Marley carries the work forward with confidence, clarity, passion, and inventiveness. Impeccable musicianship and unparalleled song crafting provide the starting point, the foundation for the Stephen Marley experience.
Born in 1972, the second son of Bob Marley, Stephen was dancing and singing onstage during his father and The Wailers' live shows (alongside older siblings Ziggy and Cedella) by the time he was old enough to walk. As a young boy, he stayed at home-as Ziggy and Cedella entered school-where he would shadow his father, mimic his speech and quickly fall in love with such future reggae anthems as "Lively Up Yourself." At seven, he began learning guitar on a nylon-stringed acoustic.
In 1979, he made his official debut when he, Ziggy, Cedella and Sharon-collectively known as The Melody Makers-cut their first single, "Children Playing in the Streets," followed in 1985 by their debut LP, Play the Game Right. Over the next decade, the group would follow in their father's footsteps, racking up Grammy awards and bringing conscious songs and one-love rhythms to every corner of the globe.
With Mind Control the 34 year-old artist is now inevitably stepping to center stage for the first time in his 27 year career. Mind Control is all Stephen and a cornucopia of the sounds and styles that he loves: a blend of reggae, rock, R&B, nyabinghi rhythms, flamenco and hip-hop. It's an album with the grit and flavor to rock old-school Kingston sound systems and slippery, waxed Miami Range Rovers alike.
The true meaning of the work, the message of the music, Stephen said in a phone interview with Insight News last week, is the courage and peace that come from knowing "The Almighty controls all. My trust is in The Almighty, The Most High, therefore nothing worries me," he said. "Not one word shall pass heaven and earth that is out of the control of The Almighty."
And that is the sprit of his Grammy-Award winning cd, Mind Control. The album won Best Reggae Album at the Grammys' 50th annual ceremony on February 10.
Stephen warns youth in particular, but people in general, to examine the information environment and motives behind decisions we are being programmed to believe we are making of our own free will. He says accepting the culture of deceit guarantees defeat. "Corruption of your thoughts leads to destruction of your soul. You become an invention. Slavery these days," he says, "is mind control."
As he tours the world, Stephen said, he is finding that people are getting the message. People "want a new reality. They want to be part of this movement to achieve a greater purpose." His role as a musician is to enlighten people with the truth, he said.
He takes the assignment seriously.
"Being on stage is like being a preacher delivering a sermon," Stephen said. "It is a spiritual thing. I and I go within I-self. The musician is a spiritual medium for the Father. The 100-minute performance is like being in a trance to be used as a tool by The Almighty."
Stephen said the Spirit never fails the performance. "It always comes. I and I take a deep breath five minutes before going on stage. We know why we are here and what effect the music has on people. When the Spirit arrives, a transition occurs. People meet Truth and Light. Some just feel it from our presence. We don't need words," he said.
The Reggae News Agency
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