Every spring, Bob Marley’s birthday is celebrated in grand style in Jamaica, Africa and across the globe. Falling as it does in the midst of Black History Month and so soon after MLK day, it’s natural for discussion of Bob’s legacy to take place in the context of pan-africanism, black pride and spiritual redemption. Future historians may one day analyze that legacy in a different context, however, placing the Marley name between the Bushes and the Kennedys on a list of royal dynasties founded in the late 20th century. Might Bob himself may one day be remembered mostly as the patriarch of a family line that seems bent on world domination? --although admittedly of a righteous sort.
Just days after Rita Marley inaugurated the Africa Unite program of concerts, benefits and symposia in Johannesburg, SA on her late husband’s birthday, four of Bob’s sons came together to re-stage his famous ‘Smile Jamaica’ peace concert in his birthplace of Nine Miles, St. Ann. One week later eldest son Ziggy crowned a long and illustrious music career by taking the Grammy for Best Reggae Album with his LP Love is My Religion. All the while junior gongs Stephen and Damian were riding the infectious beatbox riddim of “Traffic Jam” to the top of radio and video charts, making Stephen’s forthcoming LP Mind Control one of the most anticipated records in years. Even Ky-Mani, who had been out of the spotlight for a minute, has been accidentally thrust back in it by his starring role in the film Shottas--allegedly the most bootlegged movie of all times--which over the winter finally saw an official theatrical and DVD release, with rumors of a sequel to follow this year.
Musically, the various Marley brothers seem to be adhering to a true ‘forward as one’ strategy. Exhibiting the same solidarity they displayed at “Smile Jamaica” Peace concert in February, each steps away from the center stage to let the next take his turn, never letting the Marley name stay out of the news cycle for long. Meanwhile, even the non-musical Marleys have stayed active with clothing lines like Rohan’s Tuff Gong brand and Cedella’s Catch A Fire. With music, fashion, film and activism well locked, can “Marley Airlines” or even “President Marley” be far behind? Whatever comes, long may they reign.
