Marley is reaching for a higher spiritual state
Ziggy Marley’s all about keeping it positive. That’s why his latest album, Fly Rasta, is a celebration of everything the Jamaican reggae artist is known to love: Mother Nature, Rastafarianism, peace and the herb (as he personally calls it), of course. But what Fly Rasta really is, is a deeper extension of Marley himself.
“For me (Fly Rasta) means to elevate the mental state and reach a higher spiritual state,” he said. “I ventured out into the universe musically, and tried to go as far as I can.”
That is a long way for Marley, who’s been performing for nearly his entire life. As the eldest son of the legendary Bob Marley, he started recording with his father and younger siblings at just 11 years old. Now he’s also an advocate for widespread causes from the environment to human rights and the legalization of marijuana. You could say music and activism are in Ziggy’s blood, but he will humbly tell you that’s just who he is.
“I’m my own psychologist,” he explains. “I learn to adopt and change according to what I feel is right in my life … figure out these two voices in my head, the normal voice and the psychologist voice and make sure things are right and positive.
“You can call it consciousness, the voice of God, there are so many different terminologies for it. That consciousness does come out in the music that’s a side of me that’s reflected the most. That’s the side of me that I want to promote and be more. Not on the ego side, but the conscious side.”
As such, Marley doesn’t think much about accolades. He’s a six-time Grammy winner who’s “not connected emotionally to that kind of stuff.” The Love Is My Religion singer was just nominated again for a 2014 International Reggae and Music Award, but this time with a couple other Marley’s — son Daniel Bambaata Marley and nephew Jo Mersa Marley, both recording artists who experimenting with reggae, dancehall and rap in their own right.
Ziggy tries not to give the kids much advice about the industry, but rather be supportive as they find their own way.
“I’ve learned by action,” said Marley, who is actually a father of six. “That means hard work, perseverance and discipline, and in life showing respect for all the people … the greatest example is to lead by example. That is a thing I learned from my parents. They led by example.”
After touring Canada, the singer goes onto the United States for another 20-some dates. He’s also busy with his non-profit foundation United Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE), which works with underprivileged children in Jamaica and Ethiopia.
Marley’s eager to reunite with his family on stage and in the studio, but it clearly won’t be happening anytime soon.
“We would like to do it together, if we can get it together,” he said. “We’re talking about it. When we stop talking about it, maybe we do it.”
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