Ziggy Marley

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David Ziggy Marley
David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley
David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley
Background information
Birth name David Nesta Marley
Also known as Ziggy Marley
Born October 17, 1968 (1968-10-17) (age 39)
Trenchtown, Jamaica
Genre(s) Reggae
Occupation(s) Musician, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist
Instrument(s) Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Percussion
Years active 1979–present
Label(s) Tuff Gong Worldwide
Website www.ziggymarley.com

David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968, Trenchtown) is a four time Grammy-winning Jamaican musician. He is the oldest son of Rita and Bob Marley1, the legendary roots reggae singer.[1][2]

There are many theories and myths about where his nickname, "Ziggy", originated. The word from Ziggy himself is that he simply is not sure. Possibly, is it related to his zeal on the soccer field where he "zig zagged" around so much.[3]

Contents

[edit] With the Melody Makers

In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen, and Sharon, made their recording debut with their father, "Children Playing in the Streets". The Melody Makers, as the group came to be known, played occasionally for several years, including at their father's funeral in 1981. Their debut LP was Play the Game Right, which was a very pop-oriented album, earning Ziggy some derision from critics. The band's label, EMI, wanted to market Ziggy as a solo act, and so the Melody Makers moved to Virgin Records, where they recorded Conscious Party (1988, produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). The album was critically and popularly successful, as was One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya (1991). Some of his most popular singles include "True To Myself", "Drive", "Ganja Smoke" and "People Get Ready".

As the 1990s continued, the Melody Makers' sales slowly declined, beginning with Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want to Be (1995).

[edit] Solo career

Ziggy had become politically active by this time, working with the United Nations and creating a record label called Ghetto Youths Crew. A solo album, Dragonfly was released on April 15, 2003.

On July 2, 2006, his second solo album Love Is My Religion, was released on his independent record company Tuff Gong Worldwide.

He is listed as the featured artist on Donna Summer's song, Crayons, the title track from her new album set for release May 20, 2008, on the Burgundy label.

[edit] Personal life

Marley is married to Orly Marley, she is a former vice president of William Morris Agency[4] and presently manages his career and his record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide.[5] When not on the road, Ziggy divides his time between homes in Jamaica, California and the Bahamas.

Marley is father to five children, a daughter named Judah Victoria Marley (born April 7, 2005) and a son named Gideon Robert Nesta Marley (born January 6, 2007) [6] and son Daniel Marley and daughters Justice Marley and Zuri Marley.

[edit] Philanthropy

Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (U.R.G.E.) is Ziggy's charity which works to help children.

Ziggy has designed a shirt for the Fashion Against AIDS collection, which aims to spread awareness about HIV-AIDS among young people.

In 2007, Marley signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and free lessons to children in public schools throughout the United States. He has visited with children in the program and sits on the organization's board of directors as an honorary member.

Works with Wear Your Music which create "Relixbands" from donated guitar strings.

Lent his support to YouthAIDS.

[edit] In popular culture

In 1991, Marley and the Melody Makers contributed the song Give A Little Love to the Disney album, "For Our Children". The album is a collection of kid-friendly songs by popular artists (e.g. Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen), with proceeds given to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Marley and the Melody Makers recorded the reggae-style theme song for the children's television series Arthur. A remixed techno version of the song, "Believe in Yourself," was used over the closing credits to the sixth season.

He voiced Bernie, one of Sykes' (Martin Scorsese) Rasta jellyfish henchmen in the 2004 film Shark Tale. In the film when Oscar (Will Smith) tries to sing the Bob Marley song Three Little Birds, Marley's character zaps Oscar on the head and says "Dat's not how you sing de song, man." The title song for the film was a cover version of Three Little Birds performed by Marley and Sean Paul.

He sang Rainbow in the Sky on the American television series Charmed in season 6.

His song Love Power was played during the end credits of Muppet Treasure Island.

He sang a cover of "Drive" by The Cars which was featured in the Adam Sandler movie 50 First Dates.

He sang a cover of "Three Little Birds" for Dora The Explorer soundtrack.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Jon Faine and Marieke Hardy. "Judith Holder and Ziggy Marley," ABC Radio Melbourne (Australia), April 3, 2007
  2. ^ Ivan Serra and Marco Virgona. "Interview with Ziggy Marley," Bob Marley Magazine (no date)
  3. ^ Conversation with Ziggy, 2008
  4. ^ Latin Notas Updates On Latin Conference
  5. ^ Entertainment Weekly Rising Sons
  6. ^ People Singer Ziggy Marley, Wife Welcome a Son

1.http://web.bobmarley.com/family/

[edit] External links