Ziggy Marley Biography

Summary

"David Nesta 'Ziggy' Marley" (born October 17, 1968, Trenchtown) is a Grammy-winning Jamaican musician. He is the oldest son of Rita and Bob Marley1, the legendary roots reggae singer. His mother Rita called and baptised him David, but his father Bob nicknamed him 'Ziggy' in reference to a marijuana cigarette. An alternative explanation links the nickname to the David Bowie persona 'Ziggy Stardust' and his eponymous 1972 album. Born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, Marley learned how to play guitar and drums from his father.

Career

With the Melody Makers

In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen, John Tangney 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 best 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).

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.

He voiced a Rasta jellyfish in the 2004 film "Shark Tale" and also collaborated with Sean Paul on a cover version of his father's song 'Three Little Birds' for the soundtrack. The cover was the title song for the film.

He voiced Bernie, one of Sykes' (Martin Scorsese) jellyfish henchmen in the film "Shark Tale". In the film when Oscar (Will Smith) tries to sing The Bob Marley classic "Three Little Birds" Ziggy's character zaps Oscar on the head and says 'Dat's "not" how you sing the song, man.'

He sang 'Rainbow in the Sky' on the American television series Charmed in season 2.

On July 2, 2006, his second solo album "Love Is My Religion", was released.

Ziggy 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.

ZIGGY MARLEY WAS A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE FUGEES

Personal life

Ziggy has two children from a previous relationship with Lorraine Bogle: son Daniel Bambaatta Robert Nesta Marley and daughter Justice Marley. From his previous relationship with Carlene Samuels he has daughter named Zuri Marley.

Ziggy is married to Orly Agai, a vice president at William Morris Agency. They have two children: daughter Judah Victoria Marley (born April 7, 2005) and a son Gideon Robert Nesta Marley (born January 6, 2007).

Philanthropy

In 2007, Ziggy 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.