Interview by : Benoit Collin & Sébastien Jobart
Pictures by : Cyril Fleury (une) & DR
on Friday, March 09th 2007 - 13 123 views
A conversation with Stephen Marley, Ziggy's younger brother, who is releasing his first album, "Mind Control", announced two years ago. A new facet for this Marley son who is different from the rest, who preferred to turn to production, with an already rich career behind him including the successes of "Chant Down Babylon", his father's virtual duets with American rappers, and Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock". Sometimes cryptic, almost shy when his successes are mentioned, Stephen Marley answers us with total simplicity.
Reggaefrance / You're releasing your first album, but you're not really a newcomer to music.
Stephen Marley / I started in 1979 with the group the Melody Makers. There was Ziggy, Cedella and Sharon, and me. That's how I got started in music.
After the Melody Makers, you turned to production. You produced "Chant Down Babylon" in 1999, an album of virtual duets between your father and American rappers.
This project started as one of many wishes and many missions, both of my father's and of the music's. To break down barriers and borders. That's why this album was cross-over.
You produced both albums by your brother Damian, "Halfway Tree" and "Welcome To Jamrock"
Damian is my youngest brother; I worked with him while growing up. I taught him to play football, to tie his shoelaces... Making music together is no different, in the sense that it doesn't take any particular effort. It's a natural thing: we grew up together.
So it's easier to work with family?
Yes, much easier! (laughs)
"Welcome to Jamrock" was a resounding success, crowned with a Grammy. How did you experience it?
We were very happy to have been able to reach the masses. It's worldwide, it touches everybody.
Did you expect this success?
Yeah !
Will you produce Damian's next album?
Of course, I'm his producer.
You give the impression of being more discreet than your brothers and half-brothers. Do you not want to put yourself forward?
I put myself forward only when it's necessary.
On this album there are a lot of features. Is that a way of not putting yourself at the front of the stage?
No (laughs). I am what I am. I'm not trying to push myself forward, or the opposite. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I have no problem being in the spotlight or a bit more in the shadows.
Among these features is Ben Harper, whom you already knew.
I met Ben Harper in 1999, when we did the One Love Concert in tribute to my father, where he was present. We've bumped into each other several times since, but last year I was on tour with him. We had a little studio on the tour bus, and we started jamming together. Because that's what musicians do, right ? Play music.
Why did you choose non-reggae artists?
Because I'm not only a reggae fan!
You had a hit with Traffic Jam with Damian Marley and Buju Banton...
We're always happy to see that the music we make pleases people.
It can't be so easy to carry that surname. Ky-mani Marley told us it closed as many doors as it opened.
I am who I am, and I wouldn't change for anything in the world. I'm a fruit of that tree. I don't try to set myself apart from it, to be a peach if the tree bears apples. I'm very comfortable with my identity.
Will you be the one producing the album project with the Marley Family? Can you tell us about it?
We haven't yet entered an active phase; it's still only a project.
There's also the Africa Unite project in Miami and in South Africa.
As you know, my father sang for the unification of Africa. He didn't only sing, he also got physically and personally involved. In Zimbabwe in 1980, for example, he spent his own money to put on that concert. It wasn't only a matter of preaching for Africa, but also of playing a role in the unification of Africa. That is our effort: this concert, this awakening of awareness.
For a long time, Jamaica has preferred dancehall. Do you think your father's message is still present?
Yes, it's still the most important. There's plenty of dancehall, which is still good music and does you good, but the message isn't there. This music lacks substance, unlike my father's music, which will always be there.
Over the years, artists' messages have become more radical, more violent.
Yes, that's very true. The world is more violent. Artists are the reflection of the world; they watch it turn in front of them. All of this is a sign of the times.
Remerciements : Reggae MC
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