Money can’t buy life. These were Bob Marley’s final words to his son, David Nesta , aka. Ziggy Marley. A warning against letting fame go to one’s head perhaps? There was much wisdom to his father “ in his life, in his songs, and Ziggy carries that tradition proudly today.

Ziggy Marley was born on October 17, 1968 “ the most senior of the elder Marley’s sons and third child after his siblings Sharon and Cedella to mother Rita. Born in the Trenchtown, a neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon formed a band with their father in 1979, which came to be known later, as The Melody Makers. Their recording debut, Children Playing in the Streetswas Ziggy’s first true introduction to the world of the music industry. The Melody Makers wouldn’t debut an LP until after their father’s death in 1981,Play the Game Right. Since then, The Melody Makers have released thirteen albums spanning twenty-three years.

After their first album, they moved to Virgin Records in order to keep the group together, where they recorded three new albums. These were: Conscious Party, One Bright Day and Jahmekya (1988, 1989 and 1991 respectively). Sadly, as the 1990s progressed, the popularity of The Melody Makers waned. However Ziggy never let this slow him down. Having become politically active, Ziggy began working with the United Nations, and to that end, formed a record label known as Ghetto Youths Crew with his siblings Stephen, Julian, and Damian. GYC is a label founded to help bring young reggae artists the notice and acclaim they deserve.

In the first few years of the 21st century, Ziggy entered a solo career, releasing Dragonfly, Love is My Religion and Family Time on his own record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide.

Throughout his life, Ziggy has exemplified his father’s final words, becoming well-known for his generous spirit, and willingness to help the less fortunate. His charitable and philanthropic work has made as much of a marked difference in the lives of many, as his music has, both then and now. A far cry from what most think of when they think of modern ‘reggae music’, the music of Ziggy and his family offer something that other ‘music’ does not. Whether or not you’re a fan of reggae music, surely you can appreciate that there’s at least one person who believes in and helps foster in others, a hope for the future.