Ziggy Marley
David Nesta “Ziggy” Marley was born in Trenchtown, Jamaica on October 17, 1968 to Bob and Rita Marley. A five-time Grammy-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian, Ziggy has enjoyed a prominent presence on the public stage for over a quarter-century.
At the age of 10, Ziggy first sat in on recording sessions with his
father’s band, the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers. Later, he joined
with his sisters Sharon and Cedella and brother Stephen to form Ziggy Marley
& The Melody Makers, which enabled him to craft his own soulful sound
blending blues, R&B, hip-hop and roots reggae. The Melody Makers earned
their first Grammy (Best Reggae Recording) for their third album Conscious
Party (1988), produced by Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth,
which included the hit songs “Tomorrow People” and “Tumbling Down.”
Subsequent albums included the Grammy-winning One Bright Day (1989), Jamekya
(1991), Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want 2 B (1995), Grammy-winning
Fallen is Babylon (1997), Spirit of Music (1999) and Ziggy Marley & The
Melody Makers Live, Vol. 1 (2000), featuring some of their biggest hits, as
well as a cover of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved.” While selling millions
of records and selling out numerous concerts, Ziggy Marley and The Melody
Makers never lost sight of their foundations in faith, fellowship and
family.
Involved with a breadth of charities, Marley leads his own, URGE (Unlimited
Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization that benefits
efforts in Jamaica, Ethiopia and other developing nations. The charity’s
missions range from building new schools to operating health clinics to
supporting charities like Mary’s Child, a center for abused and neglected
girls.
The title of his latest album, Wild and Free, is a little ironic, given his
time-consuming commitments to family, philanthropy, songwriting, producing,
studio work and touring. Ziggy also continues to head Tuff Gong Worldwide in
honor of his father’s own music label Tuff Gong Records, working on the
re-launch of the official Bob Marley website and an exhibit at the Grammy
Museum in L.A. Ziggy divides his residency among Florida, Jamaica and California.
Learn more at Ziggy Marley’s official website
Read our “Ziggy Marley The “Marley” Interview” Interview with Ziggy Marley
