Ziggy Marley has music in his blood. He is carrying on the family’s music tradition, twenty-six years on from the death of his father, Bob Marley. The eldest of thirteen children, he is constantly compared to his father, both for his looks and his voice. His latest release, Love is My Religion, won a Grammy. It is just one more accolade to add to the collection of this unassuming artist, who avoids discussing awards. About to head to Sydney for an appearance at the Great Escape Festival, Marley caught up with Faster Louder, to discuss the latest album.

Born to Rita and Bob Marley in Trenchtown, 1968; Ziggy Marley learned how to play guitar and drums from his father. Growing up in a musical family, he and his siblings, Cedella, Sharon and Stephen, formed the Melody Makers. The band, which went on to win three Grammys, had critical success with Conscious Party (1988), One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya (1991).

Marley’s first solo album, Dragonfly, released in 2003, was also met with positive reviews. His latest work, Love is My Religion, also won a Grammy. Awards aside, I ask Marley whether Love is My Religion is his most important work to date. He hesitates, focusing more on its intrinsic meaning and avoids comparing it to Dragonfly.

“The message is very important on this record. It’s about love and the evolution of the philosophy of God. I played plenty of instruments on this record, which is a first. It was a good thing.”

The album’s twelve tracks are unashamedly reggae. Dotted throughout the record are songs penned during his youth. Friendship, love and politics are recurring themes. From the simple title track, Love is My Religion, to the spiritual, Keep On Dreamin ’, the album embraces the emotional side of life. When asked whether it is difficult to be seen as a musician in his own right, rather than as his father’s son, Marley is defensive.
“I don’t know. You tell me that. Let the people who judge people decide. I don’t judge myself. I don’t critique myself. I just play music. I’ll leave it up to those who see themselves as authorities or whatever to say that. But for me, it don’t mean anything. I just make music.”

With the goal of assisting young musicians trying to break into the industry, Marley formed the record label, Ghetto Youths International. The joint-venture, with brother, Stephen is a fledgling project. Marley admits there is a long way to go, but is looking forward to building the label’s artist roster. “It’s early in the life of the label.” He emphasises. “I want to add more music and more different artists to the label. We’re just starting out.”

Dividing his time between music and altruistic pursuits, Marley is involved with the Wailers’-founded label, Tuff Gong, along with his charitable organisation, URGE. Named as a Goodwill Youth Ambassador for the United Nations, Marley puts it down to his music. “The United Nations recognised the good in the music… Music is a tool for spreading love and peace. That’s what the United Nations saw and decided to recognise. It was just recognising the messages in the music, which the world and the youth need.”

Following the recent birth of his fifth child, Gideon, Marley is philosophical. He considers today’s society and the world his children will inherit.
“The world seems to be divided. We need to instill in our children, that we, as human beings, have a purpose – more than just being selfish. Our purpose is to help one another.”

With a relative famous for popularising reggae outside of Jamaica, Ziggy plans to continue the legacy. He is adamant that its longevity is dependent on spreading the message. “Reggae music is popular…. It’s very popular. It’s just that it don’t get the promotion that is needed. But we don’t think about these things. We think about spreading the message… We can’t depend on the media. We have to get out there and do the hard work by touring and making music.”

About to embark on a world tour, he will be taking his message to the masses. The tour will include an appearance at Sydney’s Great Escape Festival.”I’ve been in Australia maybe 10, 15… many, many years ago. I’ll be doing some of my new songs, some old ones. I’ll do some of my father’s stuff. So it’ll be a good mixture of songs. Before I go there, I’m heading to China, the Philippines and Japan. Then I’ll head back to the United States for a tour – then to the Caribbean. It’s a long road ahead – a hard one but it’s something I have to do.”

For full coverage of the Great Escape click here