Reasoning with Julian Marley

Julian Marley makes music his father worked so hard to build. His performance at Raggamuffins’ Bob Marley Days in Long Beach, Calfornia was a snapshot of what has become a global movement of music, freedom and soulful healing. Jahworks.org’s Justine Ketola met with Julian backstage and found his eloquent message reveals his father's influence and the inspiration of the Rasta movement.

JK: After this performance, I can see the influences of records like your father’s album, REBEL MUSIC.

JM: It is all about the soul, whether it is Soul Rebel or Soul Shakedown Party or anything. Our music is tapping the spirit, just like when you say the Wailers, it is all about the spirit, your offspring, so it is that line. As for the band, it is formed between Jamaica and a drummer that comes from America. And we have a guitarist that comes from London.

JK: And of course percussionist, Harry T who has been with the family for years… What inspired you to do the song, “Harder Days?”

JM: It is reality. It is what we see as reality. Prophecy, you understand, it is prophecy that is revealed today, so I'n'I the children see it and say these are the harder days. Despite the harder days, Jah glory is pure in life and wonderful, so it is also the light at the end of the darkness.

JK: Are you calling people out on their false prophecies when you are performing the Bob Marley song "Running Away"?

JM: We feel people running away. Who knows what their direct inspiration is... we don’t really say well we do this because we defend reality and consciousness.

JK: During the performance of the song “Systems” you have a wonderful African drumming portion. Have you been to Africa or performed in Africa before?

JM: No I never performed in Africa or visited, but it is to come.

JK: What about other countries where you have performed and felt a similar impact as you have made on this 18,000 capacity stage at Bob Marley Days?

JM: Everywhere we go we get good vibes from people. We get loving vibes cause what our music represents is togetherness, so whether it is 500, 100 or 18,000 people, everyone lives under one order.

JK: How did it feel that "Exodus" was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine?

JM: I would not see it is surprising cause when you check the title, "Exodus," that is a big meaning. It is something that carries meaning for the whole Earth, meaning Exodus out of Babylon for the whole earth, the promised land. So when we check that, what they do and what they put up is very serious. It shows how deep it is, as the album came in the ‘70's and even now, such a powerful album, it is very deep.”

JK: What artists outside of reggae are some of your favorites?

JM: We listen to all kind of music, music from the 60's not so much artists, what we listen to....nuff music, everything.

JK: What about the stage show, is this something you rehearse, as in the dancing and so forth?

JM: We don't rehearse it. The rehearsal is about the music, when we are on stage it is about freedom.

JK: You have a person on stage (named Ites) that waves the Ethiopian flag with the lion of Judah which is part of many bobo artists' stage presentations. What purpose does the flag-waver serve in your presentation?

JM: This tradition is coming long before. It is coming from Ethiopia, the King Of Kings, Lord of Lords, way before Jamaica--it is coming from creation. This is a very sacred part of all life, because Africa is the creation of all races, no matter where you come from that is where it all began, so when you check that out, you must wave the red gold and green because it is the order.

JK: Can you tell us a bit about your childhood in England and what the music scene was like growing up?

JM: We grew up listening to everything from Police to Phil Collins to everything. We get nuff influences from that kind of music. Reggae was always there, soul, everything you know.”

JK: What is your experience like touring in Europe?

JM: Europe was the first place to accept reggae to the fullest--it is great! If you check Europe, it is nearer to Africa so it has that culture where it is closer. So that is why we are here right now, spreading the message, continuously.

Julian Marley’s latest album A TIME AND PLACE produced by Stephen Marley is available on Ghetto Youths/Lightyear. His website is: www.ghettoyouths.com