Ziggy Interview: Marley On A Mission

The Voice caught-up with the living legend as he prepares to perform at Jamaica House - for an exclusive 2 for 1 ticket offer, scroll to the bottom of this interview

MAN OF THE PEOPLE: Ziggy Marley has some projects on the way (image credit: Gregory Bojorque)

LIVING YOUR truth is a powerful thing and a trait which Ziggy Marley has exhibited since the start of his career.

Despite the pressures of following in his father’s legendary footsteps, to the haters who are keen to criticise at every turn, 48-year-old Marley remains clear on his mission in life and focuses on a higher calling.

“My music is something that is real, and is going to become a reality,” he professes.

“I believe that eventually, humanity will wake up and see that all this divisiveness doesn’t serve anyone any good. So I feel very encouraged by that drive inside of me and I keep positive because I know love is stronger than hate.”

Marley is bringing his positive and relaxed aura to the UK, as he prepares to perform at Jamaica House 2017 at The o2, which celebrates Jamaican culture and music with a series of talented homegrown acts – Marley included.

“I’m going to play my music, play a couple songs from my father’s music, and it’s going to be a great celebration of positive vibrations with a strong message,” he says.

“We have a message in our music that deals with love and unity and just encouragement to uplift the goodness in humanity.

“So I’m looking forward to performing for the people – and I don’t come to England that much, so it’s going to be something new for them.”

As Jamaica House honours Jamaican culture and Usain Bolt’s final competitive race at the World Athletics Championships, the reggae crooner reminiscences about his love of sport growing up. He says:

“Sport is important in Jamaica and I remember I would play sport no matter where I was, whether it be a hotel room, my bedroom or football field. Sport has always been key for Jamaicans because we’re active people. We take pride in what we do, whether that would be music or sports.”

However, the musician also feels that this comes with a lot of scrutiny, as people debate what reggae is ‘supposed’ to sound like.

“People think reggae should just stay one way, but it’s a living and breathing thing and as an artist, it gives me great joy to push the barriers of the genre.”

Pushing the genre beyond its limits continues to be a natural agenda for Marley, and he wishes more acts would focus on integrity in music.

“Within this industry, there aren’t many people speaking on messages for the people within popular culture, so I feel like I hold a unique place, as one of the voices that is pushing the ideas that can help you to be better.”

One of the musicians that he praises for doing this is his brother, Damian Marley, who recently released his long-awaited album, Stony Hill.

“Damian is being true to himself and it’s a big album. He has messages in his music and he’s doing his thing.”

Ziggy reveals that there is new music coming our way from him, among some other surprising projects.

“I’m writing some songs now, so next year some new music is coming.

“I also want to write a children’s book or something,” he reveals.

“So maybe something like that, and something within multimedia.”

Ziggy Marley will perform at Jamaica House tomorrow on August 11 at The O2. To take advantage of a Voice exclusive 2 for 1 ticket offer, click here.

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