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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