Some music is timeless, and the work of the late great Bob Marley epitomizes this notion. His sons continue this legacy of greatness by making authentic reggae music that evokes the same timeless feel as their father.
Since recording his first song at age five, Julian Marley has become a self-taught musician, playing the bass, drums, and keyboard. At the age of 14, he released his first album Uprising. The British born, Jamaica raised Rasta then traveled to Jamaica to record Lion in the Morning with his brothers Stephen and Damian Marley. His next album A Time and Place, released in 2003 was Marley’s last recorded work.
Six years later, Julian Marley is back with a new album Awake, as well as a newfound inspiration for music and life, found in the passing of his grandmother Cedella Marley Booker. The album, which features guest appearances from Stephen Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and American rapper Mr. Cheeks, symbolizes growth and restoration of classic roots reggae. Julian Marley opens up to MMIM about life in Jamaica, the passing of his grandmother, and the continuing the legacy of his father.
MMIM: What have you been doing the past six years, brother?
Julian Marley: Lots of work, working with the family and my brothers. There have been a couple of projects we’ve been doing down in Jamaica, and lots of concerts for causes in Ethiopia and stuff. We did the Marley Brothers Tour and a couple of other things. And of course just working on the upcoming album.
MMIM: Do you identify with mainstream reggae artists who are more a part of pop culture?
Julian Marley: I listen to it still. You might find me on one or two, but I definitely have a responsibility to bring this reggae music back up to the forefront, musically.
MMIM: You’re one of the few reggae artists, or artists period, that plays several instruments. How did that come about and how is it reflected in your music?
Julian Marley: Really it was just our father’s ear; we just always picked up instruments. We listened to music all the time, and there were a wide variety of instruments in the music we listened to. I was around my grandmother when I was six or seven and she used to play the piano and that was when I first started playing keyboard. The first instrument I learned to play was the drums though, and then I went on to learn the guitar.
And yeah, being able to play many instruments makers you better rounded, because you can be somewhere and always work on your music and not have to wait on someone. And it’s always good to be a musician as well as an artist because you can work thoroughly.
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MMIM: Do you come from a tight knit family? I noticed your brothers and you are all into music.
Julian Marley: Yes it’s always been close from when we were children. It’s always been a family thing- this music. At the moment, three of us are working: Steven, Damian and myself. We work on projects together all the time, like my upcoming album Awake.
MMIM: Do you think had your father not had such a huge impact on the world of music that you or your brothers would still be into music?
Julian Marley: I think I’d still be into music, because it’s just what I know, you know? It’s life; it’s how we express our trials, loves, through life.
MMIM: Growing up between United Kingdom and Jamaica seems like such a contrast, how has that affected the person you are and your music?
Julian Marley: Well, I’m not even fully sure. [Laughs] For me, all of the experiences have helped shaped me. In the UK more pop music, but they played old reggae on some stations, so there I was exposed to so many different sounds. At home in Jamaica, there were roots reggae artists that no one’s ever heard that would inspire me, you know?
MMIM: Tell me about your new single “Violence in the Streets” and the story behind that song?
Julian Marley: First of all, that song was done at a time that every newsflash that you would have heard was of teenagers killing teenagers, or teenagers and violence, and in Jamaica was the same sort of thing. So that was my inspiration. Then Jr. Gong [Damian Marley] blessed it, so it’s really a hard song.
MMIM: It seems as if all roots reggae is about love and poverty. Why?
Julian Marley: You’d have to ask the creators and the legends. Those two sounds just go together. I used to hear that reggae was King’s music growing up. And when I listened to my father in an interview years ago, he said it was music for working people; that they would come home from a hard day and put on reggae music to soothe their soul. There was struggle in the music, because being a Rasta in Jamaica at that time was hard.
MMIM: I see. Since roots reggae incorporates Hip-Hop and R&B sounds, who are some of your favorite American Hip-Hop and R&B artists?
Julian Marley: I listen to everything, but I can’t think of any names right now. I like the upbeat dance stuff, but any artists I like is an artists that has more to offer, substance behind their music and their movement.
MMIM: Your father left a legacy of greatness that’ll last a lifetime. What do you want your legacy to be?
Julian Marley: I am a brother as well as your friend, and an artist. We aren’t trying to leave behind any legacy of our own, just the words of positive motivation and energy, because it’s not about pride and self, you know? So really just love.
May 26, 2009 at 6:59 pm
In addition to Stephen, Damian, and Julian..there’s Ziggy, who is the eldest…then Ky-mani and Ismael, as in Rocket Ismael…plus two girls who were in the Melody Makers..I wonder what happened to them?…when Bob Marley said one love, he meant it…he put his thang down for real…musically but his physical legacy is well represented…I loved Damian’s second album…so I might check Julian out…so far all the Marleys have made some real good music…their father would be proud!!
May 27, 2009 at 11:00 am
Well David “Ziggy” Marley is the oldest, then u have his daughters Cedella and Sharon Marley, and Stephen Marley these are the 4 children he had with Rita Marley and them four was the group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers wich both Ziggy and Stephen wrote and singed songs mostly Ziggy was the lead singer.
Then Julian Marley is a middle child, then u have Ky-mani Marley who’s mother was a skilled tennis player.
Rohan Marley, and the youngest Damian Marley who’s mother was Miss Universe or Miss World. But he has more children. Dem said 11 children with something like 7 women, but some say it’s twice as many children than that…