Ziggy Marley Explained

Ziggy Marley
Birth Name:David Nesta Marley
Birth Date:17 October 1968
Birth Place:Kingston, Jamaica
Spouse:Orly Agai
Children:7, including Bambaata
Parents:Bob Marley (father)
Rita Marley (mother)
Relatives:Sharon Marley (half-sister)
Cedella Marley (sister)
Stephen Marley (brother)
Rohan Marley (half-brother)
Julian Marley (half-brother)
Ky-Mani Marley (half-brother)
Damian Marley (half-brother)
Nico Marley (nephew)
Cedella Booker (grandmother)
Skip Marley (nephew)
Jo Mersa Marley (nephew)
YG Marley (nephew)
Selah Marley (niece)
Donisha Prendergast (niece)
Years Active:1979–present
Module:
Embed:yes
Background:solo_singer
Genre:Reggae
Past Member Of:Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born 17 October 1968) is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002, with whom he released eight studio albums. After the disbandment, Ziggy launched a successful solo career, releasing eight solo studio albums on his own label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Ziggy continues his father’s practice of recording and self-releasing all of his music. Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner and a Daytime Emmy Award recipient.

Early life

David Nesta Marley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 17, 1968.[1] He grew up in Trenchtown, a poor neighborhood of Kingston, and in Wilmington, Delaware, where he attended elementary school for a few years.[2] Ziggy grew up very active, playing soccer and running the mountains, a lifestyle passed on by his parents.[3] As the oldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy grew up surrounded by music. He has 5 half brothers, one brother, and two sisters.[4] He received guitar and drum lessons from his father and began sitting in on Wailers recording sessions by the age of ten.[5]

Career

1979–1984: Family beginnings

In the earliest known record of his musical career, Marley performed as part of a singing group called The Seven Do Bees, made up of him and his classmates, and wherein he was given the stage name "Freddie Dic". The name never stuck, however, and instead, David went on to become known as "Ziggy", a nickname often reported to have been given to him by his father Bob Marley, meaning "little spliff". However, Ziggy stated the following to Melody Maker magazine in 1988: "Me name David but me big Bowie fan. So at the time of the Ziggy Stardust album, me call meself Ziggy and now everyone do."[6]

During the late 1970s, Ziggy could also be seen alongside his brother Stephen at some of their father's larger concerts around Jamaica and abroad. In 1978, the duo appeared on stage at the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston,[7] and the following year at Reggae Sunsplash II in Montego Bay.[8]

1985–2002: Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers

See main article: Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings Sharon, Cedella and Stephen formed the Melody Makers (named after the British weekly pop/rock music newspaper, Melody Maker) and made their recording debut with "Children Playing in the Streets". The track was written for them by their father, who had composed the song for them four years earlier. All royalties from the single were pledged to the United Nations, to aid its efforts during the International Year of the Child.[9]

The Melody Makers made their onstage debut as a group on 23 September 1979, performing on the same bill as their father for the first and only time at the "Roots Rock Reggae" two-day concert series in Kingston's National Arena.[10] Ziggy was 11 years old at the time. Notable other early moments in Ziggy's musical history include a performance with Stephen at their father's funeral in 1981, and later that year the Melody Makers released their second single, "What A Plot", under the family's Tuff Gong record label.[11] The Melody Makers recorded an unreleased album titled Children Playing in 1979.

After Bob Marley's death in 1981, Ziggy began performing in his place alongside the Wailers at various shows around Jamaica,[12] and in 1984 the group went on tour in support of the year's Bob Marley Legend compilation album release.[13] The Melody Makers' first fully released album was Play the Game Right in 1985.[14] Their 1988 album Conscious Party was a major worldwide hit and received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.[15] In 1996, the band performed the theme song "Believe in Yourself" for the animated children's show Arthur.[16] Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers won three Grammy Awards and five nominations in total before disbanding in 2002.[17]

2003–2006: Dragonfly/Solo Career beginning

See also: Dragonfly (Ziggy Marley album). After the Melody Makers disbanded, Ziggy Marley launched a solo career. His debut solo album, Dragonfly, was released in April 2003. The album featured the single "True To Myself", which remains one of his biggest hits. The track "Rainbow in the Sky" features both Flea and John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while "Melancholy Mood" features only Flea.[18]

2006–2011: Tuff Gong Worldwide (independent artist)

See also: Love Is My Religion, Family Time (album) and Wild and Free (album). In July 2006, his second solo album, Love Is My Religion, was released on his independent record label Tuff Gong Worldwide. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album,[19] making it Marley's 4th Grammy win.

Marley performed a duet with Donna Summer for her 2008 album Crayons.[20] In May 2009, his third solo album Family Time, was released on Tuff Gong Worldwide. Family Time was presented as a children's album and features family and friends: Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Judah Marley, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Toots Hibbert, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth Mitchell, and more. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children.[21] In June 2011, Marley released his fourth album Wild and Free. The title track, featuring Woody Harrelson, was available for free with the pre-order of Ziggy's first comic book, Marijuanaman.[22]

2012–present: Two more albums

See also: Fly Rasta and Rebellion Rises. In 2013, Marley's song "I Love You Too" won him a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Original Song – Children's and Animation category, after it was used in the Cbeebies animation 3rd & Bird.[23] Ziggy released the children's book, I Love You Too, based on the song and illustrated by Agnieszka Jatkowska.[24] In April 2014, Ziggy Marley released his fifth solo studio album, entitled Fly Rasta.[25] Fly Rasta won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album at the 57th Grammy Awards. Marley later announced his sixth solo album Ziggy Marley to be released spring 2016.[26]

In May 2018, Marley released his most recent studio album, Rebellion Rises, through Tuff Gong Worldwide.[27] The album received rave reviews upon release. Cryptic Rock gave the album 5 out of 5 stars, stating "Politically and socially relevant, Rebellion Rises is a war of music, creating peace with a purpose.".[28] Island Stage called the album "a 10-track masterpiece that continues his father’s tradition of promoting emancipation from mental slavery through education, social activism, and healthy living."[29] Reggaeville said the album "is not an angry record. It is not a bitter record. But, it is not a record of hope, either. The time of hoping for change is a notion Marley considers past due. This is a record of action, and for Ziggy Marley, the time for action is now."[30]

Personal life

Ziggy Marley is the eldest son of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. His brothers are Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Robert "Robbie" Marley, Rohan Marley, and Damian Marley. His sisters are Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, Karen Marley, Stephanie Marley, and Serita Stewart.

He is married to Orly Agai, an Israeli of Iranian-Jewish descent,[31] [32] who is a former vice-president of William Morris Agency. They have four children: one daughter, Judah Victoria, and three sons, Gideon Robert Nesta, Abraham Selassie Robert Nesta, and Isaiah Sion Robert Nesta. He also has three children from previous relationships: a son, Bambaata (b. 1989), a daughter, Justice (b. 1991), and a daughter Zuri (b. 1995).[33]

Politics

Marley signed an open letter supporting Israel during the Israel–Hamas war by the pro-Israel organization Creative Community for Peace. On 20 October 2023, he posted "Free Gaza from Hamas."[34]

Philanthropy

U.R.G.E. Foundation

The Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (U.R.G.E.) was founded in 2007 by Ziggy Marley. It is a non-profit, charity foundation working towards improving educational, health and community environments for children.[35]

U.R.G.E acts worldwide, but their main acting areas include Jamaica and Ethiopia, among other African countries. U.R.G.E.'s missions include action and awareness.[36]

Action:

Awareness:

Efforts

Other philanthropic works

Other works

Acting and voice-overs

Acting and voice-overs[66]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Himself
1992 Himself Episode: 23.70. Melody Makers also made an appearance. Performed "Small People" from their album Jahmekya
1995 Himself Also performed "Power to Move Ya" from Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers's album Free Like We Want 2B
1997 Himself Episode: "Is it a Crime?"
2003 Reflux (voice) Uncredited
2004 Musical Guest Episode: "The Legend of Sleepy Halliwell"
2004 Ernie (voice)
2005 Club Oscar Ernie (voice)
2007 Crockadle (voice) Episode: "Mongoosed/Mellow Fellows"
2009 Himself Episode: "Wild Nature Survivor Guy"
2010 Himself Episode: "Jamaica"
2010 The Cheshire Cat (voice) Episode: "Adventures in Wonderland"
2016 Bones Episode: "Ka Pohaku Kihi Pa'a"
2016 Pup Star Dog Gnarly (voice)
2017 Pup Star: Better 2Gether Dog Gnarly (voice)
2018 Pup Star: World Tour Dog Gnarly (voice)
2020 Fraggle Rock

Rock On!

Himself Episode: "Party Down in Fraggle Rock!"
2021 Singer
2023 Lenny (voice)

Musical features

Musical Features[67]
Year Artist Song Credits
2001 Madanite Producer; Performer
2004 Three Little Birds (feat. Ziggy Marley) Performer
2007 Sedjedo Songwriter; Performer
2008 Crayons (featuring Ziggy Marley) Songwriter; Performer
2011 He Prometido (feat. Ziggy Marley) Performer
2011 The Chapel Performer
2012 Cry Cry Cry Songwriter; Performer
2013 Love Songwriter; Performer
2013 Coolin' in the Streets (Featuring Ziggy Marley) Performer
2014 Iron Lion Zion (feat. Ziggy Marley) Performer
2014 Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Performer
2016 The Laurie Berkner Band My My Marisol Performer
2016 Life is a Honeymoon Performer
2017 One Family Performer
2018 Love for Love City (with Ziggy Marley) Performer
2019 Renee & Friends where do the children play? Performer
2019 Good Enough Producer; Performer
2019 All Women Producer
2020 El Hilo Songwriter; Performer
2021 Tonika (feat. Ziggy Marley) Songwriter; Performer
2021 All You Need is Love Performer
2021 América Vibra Songwriter; Performer
2021 Ben Harper & Ziggy Marley Spin it Faster Performer
2022 The Only Performer
2022 The Marley Brothers Cornerstone 2022 (feat. Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley & Ky-Mani Marley) Performer

Public appearances

Marley and his daughter Judah made an appearance in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[68]

Discography

Albums with the Melody Makers

Solo albums

See main article: Ziggy Marley discography.

Live albums

Awards

Grammy Awards

Ziggy has won eight awards from fifteen nominations.[69]

YearAwardeeCategoryResult
1982Reggae Sunsplash '81, A Tribute To Bob MarleyBest Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording
1985Play the Game RightBest Reggae Recording
1988Conscious PartyBest Reggae Recording
1989One Bright DayBest Reggae Recording
1991JahmekyaBest Reggae Album
1993Joy and BluesBest Reggae Album
1995Free Like We Want 2 BBest Reggae Album
1997Fallen Is BabylonBest Reggae Album
2006Love Is My ReligionBest Reggae Album
2009Family TimeBest Musical Album for Children
2011Wild and FreeBest Reggae Album
2013Ziggy Marley in ConcertBest Reggae Album
2014Fly RastaBest Reggae Album
2016Ziggy Marley (album)Best Reggae Album
2018Rebellion RisesBest Reggae Album

Other awards and nominations

YearAwardCategory
2013Daytime Emmy Awards
  • Outstanding Original Song - Children's and Animation - 3rd & Bird (2008) - For song "I Love You Too"[70]
2014CLIO Awards
  • “Making of Legend Remixed: The Documentary”: Hyundai / UME / Tuff Gong - Brand Collaborations - Integrated Campaign (Bronze)
  • Music partnerships/collaborations for “Making of Three Little Birds Remix” (Shortlist)
  • Documentary Film, Executive Producer[71]
IRAWMA (International Reggae And World Music Awards)
2017UCLA George and Ira Gershwin Award
  • Lifetime Musical Achievement[73]
2021IRAWMA (International Reggae And World Music Awards)
  • 2021 Inductee Hall of Fame/ Lifetime Achievement[74]
Medgar Evers College
  • Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts[75]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ziggy Marley. Biography.com. 16 September 2022 .
  2. Web site: Ziggy Marley Biography. Musicianguide.com.
  3. News: Staying Fit With Ziggy Marley. The New York Times. 11 September 2020 . Shapiro . Bee .
  4. Book: LLC, SPIN Media . The Hard Line According to Ziggy Marley . October 1989 . SPIN Media LLC . 46 . en.
  5. Web site: Ziggy Marley. Allmusic.com.
  6. Book: Bennett, Scotty . Bob Marley. St. Martin's Press. 1997. 76 . 9780312179373.
  7. Web site: Bob Marley Ziggy One Love Peace Concert Pictures. Tattoospinners.com.
  8. News: Family Business, Jamaica, 1979. The Daily Telegraph.
  9. Book: Thompson, Dave. Reggae & Caribbean Music. 2002. Hal Leonard Corporation. 978-0-87930-655-7. en.
  10. Web site: Ziggy Marley - Timeline Photos . Facebook.com.
  11. Web site: Children Playing in the Streets - Ziggy Marley Song Info. AllMusic. en-us. 2020-04-02.
  12. Ziggy Marley & The Wailers - Ao Vivo 1984- Lively up Yourself -Reggae Jamaica. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623050950/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWiGnoS6cg. 2015-06-23 . dead. 28 February 2012. YouTube.
  13. Ziggy Marley & The Wailers - Get Up Stand Up Bob Marley Day Burbank, CA Nov 3rd, 1984. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623042534/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qaJ3nZgJpI. 2015-06-23 . dead. 31 October 2011. YouTube.
  14. Web site: Play the Game Right - Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Ziggy Marley Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. en-us. 2020-04-02.
  15. Web site: Grammy.com. 2019-11-19. grammy.com. en. 2020-04-02.
  16. Web site: Did you Know Ziggy Marley Voices the Title Song on Popular Kids Show Arthur? . 24 July 2019.
  17. Web site: Ziggy Marley. grammy.com.
  18. Web site: Dragonfly - Ziggy Marley Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. en-us. 2020-04-02.
  19. "Ziggy to Fly Rasta", Jamaica Observer, 19 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014
  20. Web site: Crayons - Donna Summer Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. en-us. 2020-04-02.
  21. Web site: Family Time - Ziggy Marley Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. en-us. 2020-04-02.
  22. Image Comics Releases Ziggy Marley's MARIJUANAMAN; in Stores April 20th. Comics. Image. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2020-04-02.
  23. Johnson, Richard (2013) "Ziggy Wins Emmy", Jamaica Observer, 19 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June
  24. Web site: Ziggy Marley releases "I Love You Too" interactive mobile children's book app. 2013-12-10. Bob Marley. en-US. 2020-04-02.
  25. Web site: Ziggy Marley - Official Website. Ziggy Marley. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141220144304/http://ziggymarley.com//#music/music/studio-albums/fly-rasta/. 20 December 2014. dmy-all.
  26. Web site: Ziggy Marley Announces New Self-Titled Album for May Release - reggaeville.com . 21 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160327025113/http://www.reggaeville.com/nc/artist-details/artist/ziggy-marley/news/ziggy-marley-announces-new-self-titled-album-for-may-releases/ac/news/update/1.html . 27 March 2016 . dead .
  27. Web site: Ziggy Marley Announces New Album Rebellion Rises. Reggaeville.com.
  28. Web site: Ziggy Marley – Rebellion Rises (Album Review). Lisa. Whealy. Crypticrock.com. 14 May 2018.
  29. Web site: Ziggy Marley 'Rebellion Rises' Album Review. Island-stage.com. 19 May 2018.
  30. Web site: Review: Ziggy Marley - Rebellion Rises. Reggaeville.com.
  31. Ziggy Marley and His Israeli Wife Orly Celebrate All the Jewish Holidays – The reggae scion says he also grew up reading the Old Testament and Tanach . Jewcy . 15 March 2013 . 2 April 2013 .
  32. Web site: Ziggy Marley and Israeli-Iranian wife cooking up 'Rastafarsi' traditions . Jpost.com. 6 November 2016 .
  33. Web site: Zuri Marley Has Been Able to Live a "Normal Lifestyle" Regardless of Her Famous Grandfather. Thecaribbeancurrent.com. 2019-09-02.
  34. News: Ziggy Marley signs letter supporting Israel; also posts 'free Gaza from Hamas' . The Jamaica Gleaner . 23 October 2023.
  35. Web site: U.R.G.E. Foundation . Ziggy Marley . 25 July 2022.
  36. Web site: About U.R.G.E. . URGE Foundation . 25 July 2022.
  37. Web site: R.G.E.-Sponsored Renovations Are Underway at the Chepsow Basic School! . URGE Foundation.
  38. Web site: Chepstow Basic School — Chepstow, Portland, Jamaica . URGE Foundation.
  39. Web site: Promises Learning Centre . URGE Foundation.
  40. Web site: Richmond Park Prep School . URGE Foundation.
  41. Web site: Educational Toys . URGE Foundation.
  42. Web site: URGE Sponsors Young Athlete . URGE Foundation.
  43. Web site: Metronics Pacemaker . URGE Foundation.
  44. Web site: Bustamante Hospital Children . URGE Foundation.
  45. Web site: SOS Children's Village . URGE Foundation.
  46. Web site: URGE Supports Efforts of Healthcare International With Free Dental Clinic in Jamaica and New Equipment . URGE Foundation. 28 January 2019 .
  47. Web site: Ziggy Marley and His Gorgeous Children Star in UGG's New Holiday Campaign: 'We're a Big Family!' . People . 25 July 2022.
  48. Web site: URGE Teams BossMom Food Poor Help Build Homes Women Jamaica . URGE Foundation.
  49. Web site: @tuffgongworldwide . Instagram.
  50. Book: For Our Children . 6302049997 .
  51. Web site: Little Kids Rock Extends Revolutionary Music Program and Free Instruments to Over 600 San Diego Children . 3BL CSR WIRE . 21 July 2022.
  52. Web site: Ziggy Marley ls. H&M . Seen.
  53. Web site: Ziggy Marley . Peta2. 20 July 2011 .
  54. Web site: End Polio Now . Vimeo. 30 August 2012 .
  55. Web site: Personal Revolution: An Interview With Ziggy Marley . Pop Matters. 20 December 2012 .
  56. Web site: Chris Pine, Ziggy Marley help John Varvatos raise $957,000 for charity . Daily Press . 21 July 2022.
  57. Web site: HOLA Welcomes Ziggy Marley . HOLA. 25 November 2014 .
  58. Web site: Ziggy to headline World's Big Sleep Out at Rose Bowl for Homelessness . Ziggy Marley . 21 July 2022.
  59. Web site: Thanks for joining us on August 17th + 18th at Kidspace Children's Museum for the 2019 Summer Kids Food Festival! . Kids Food Festival.
  60. Web site: Ziggy Marley Recognized By Creative Community for Peace In LA . The Tropix. 4 October 2019 .
  61. Web site: Reggae Icon Ziggy Marley Honored By Creative Community for Peace In LA . Urban Islandz . 2 October 2019 . 25 July 2022.
  62. Creative Community for Peace Honors Industry Execs, Ziggy Marley at Second Annual Ambassadors of Peace Gala . Billboard . 25 July 2022.
  63. Web site: Goat Islands Saved! . San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance . 14 October 2016 . 21 July 2022.
  64. Web site: Ziggy Marley happy to perform at NatGeo Earth Day Eve virtual concert . Ziggy Marley . 21 July 2022.
  65. Web site: Shalom Salaam (acoustic) - Ziggy Marley & The Jerusalem Youth Chorus . YouTube.
  66. Web site: IMDB . .
  67. Web site: Spotify . . 21 July 2022.
  68. Web site: Alamy . Alamy . 21 July 2022.
  69. Web site: Ziggy Marley. 2019-11-19. grammy.com. en. 2022-03-08.
  70. Web site: Daytime Emmy Awards. 2013. imdb.com. en. 2022-03-15.
  71. Web site: Clios Awards. 2014. clios.com. en. 2022-03-15.
  72. Web site: IRAWMA. 2014-10-12. dancehallusa.com. en. 2022-03-15.
  73. Web site: UCLA George and Ira Gershwin Award. 2017-05-17. newsroom.ucla.edu. en. 2022-03-15.
  74. Web site: IRAWMA Awards. 2021. grungecake.com. en. 2022-03-15.
  75. Web site: Medgar Evers College Honorary Doctorate. 2021-06-01. urbanislandz.com. en. 2022-03-15.