Stephen Marley

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Stephen Marley
Stephen Marley performing in 2007
Background information
Also known as	Ragamuffin
Born	April 20, 1972 (1972-04-20) (age 37) Wilmington, Delaware
Genres	Reggae
Occupations	Executive producer, singer
Labels	Tuff Gong, Ghetto Youth International
Associated acts	Bob Marley Ky-Mani Marley Ziggy Marley Damian Marley Julian Marley

Stephen Robert Nesta "Raggamuffin" Marley (born April 20, 1972 in Wilmington, Delaware) is an American musician and the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley.

Biography

Stephen Marley was part of the reggae group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers with his siblings Ziggy, Cedella, and Sharon. In 1980, at age 8, Stephen took lead vocals on "Sugar Pie", which he also performed live at the 1982 Jamaica World Music Festival in Montego Bay. In 1985 Stephen was featured on a 12" single titled "Jah Is The Healing" (reverse side to "Naah Leggo", a Tuff Gong Jamaican release), and again on "Lord We A Come" from the 1986 Melody Makers release Hey World. Many tracks feature Stephen DJ/Ragga/Rudeboy toasting in support of Ziggy's lead, including on the track "Unuh Nuh Listen Yet" from Play the Game Right (1985). Later tracks featuring Stephen on lead vocal include "A Who A Say," "Problem With My Woman," "What Conquers Defeat," "Rebel In Disguise," "African Herbsman," "Mama," "Tipsy Dazy," "Traffic Jam," "Bygones," "Keep On," "Postman," "Long Winter," "Five Days A Year," "Notice," "Jah Bless", "All Day All Night," "One Good Spliff," and "High Tide or Low Tide."

Stephen produced much of his brother Damian Marley's three solo albums, most notably 2005's Welcome to Jamrock, where he was featured on the tracks "All Night," "Pimpa's Paradise," "For the Babies," and "Hey Girl." He also produced for brother Julian Marley, and executive produced and performed on the 1999 Bob Marley mash-up, "Chant Down Babylon".

In 2003, Stephen and brother Damian put together an album called "Educated Fools" under the group name of Marley Boyz. They recorded it on labels Ghetto Youths International and Tuff Gong International. Marley brothers collaborated with other reggae artists such as Bounty Killer, Capleton,Spragga Benz, Buju Banton, and brother Ky-Mani Marley.

Stephen Marley performing at the 2008 Newport Folk Festival.

Stephen released the video for Traffic Jam (which also features brothers Damian and Julian) in December, 2006. His debut album Mind Control was released 20 March, 2007. Stephen is a five time Grammy award winner.^[1]

On Monday 19 March 2007 Stephen performed alongside his brother Damian at the Jackie Gleason Theater in a concert that was streamed live via *MSN Music.

On April 27, 2007, Stephen performed with his brother Damian at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA.

On May 11, 2007, Stephen performed with his brother Damian on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

On June 27, 2007, Stephen performed a cover of Paul Simon's Mother and Child reunion on PBS.

On September 2, 2007, Stephen performed with his brother Damian at the Irie Jamboree in Jamaica, NY.

On October 2, 2007, after opening the final 6 shows of the Dave Matthews Band's summer tour, Stephen, 2 members of his touring band, and his brother Ziggy joined DMB on stage for a rare cover of Bob Marley's "Exodus".

He was a performer at the 2008 Memorial Day weekend Jazz Reggae Festival at UCLA and on June 13, 2008, at Bonnaroo Music Festival.

On August 2, 2008, Stephen performed with his brother Damian at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI.

Stephen is currently on tour with Snoop Dogg and Slightly Stoopid as part of the Blazed and Confused 2009 Tour.

New Releases

• Stephen Marley's Smash single "The Traffic Jam" has been remixed with Snoop Dogg on the track called "Traffic Main Answer". The track also features new material from Damian Marley and was featured in Damian's Birthday Bash early Summer '07.

• "Winding Road" is a much anticipated song by Stephen Marley that has yet to be released. Originally intended to be included on the "Got Music?" album (now titled "Mind Control"), the song entered into Sirius Reggae Radio's regular rotation while the album was still unreleased. Once the album changed from "Got Music?" to "Mind Control" and Marley began reworking the tracks, the song was dropped. No word from Marley on whether this song will be released.

• Mind Control (Acoustic) Dec. 2008

Guest Performances

Stephen has been featured guest performer on a number of songs by other recording artists, including:

• "No Woman No Cry" by The Fugees, on the album Refugee Camp - Bootleg Versions, 1996
• "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)" by Michael Franti, on the album Chocolate Supa Highway, 1997
• "Musica" by Ethiopian recording artist Chachi Tadesse, on the album Hoya Hoye, 1999
• "Revolution" by Krayzie Bone, on the album Thug Mentality 1999, 1999
• "In Love With You" by Erykah Badu, on the album Mama's Gun, 2000
• "Ghetto Youths" by Dead Prez, on the soundtrack album for the movie Black and White, 2000
• "Poor Old Man" by Buju Banton on the album Unchained Spirit, 2000
• "No No No" by Eve on the album Scorpion, 2001
• "Mama Say" and "Till We Meet Again" by Mr. Cheeks on the album John P. Kelly, 2001
• "Smoke in My Eyes" by Inner Circle on the album Kool Operator 2002
• "Sunshine Girl" by Capleton on the album Reign of Fire, 2004
• "Who Am I" by Iqulah on the CD single Rastafari 4 Eva, 2004
• "Revolution In Paradise (Jamaica Version - Alex White Remix)" by Heath Hunter on the CD Single Trenchtown, 2004
• "River Don't Runnn" by Nelly on the album Sweat, 2004
• "Guava Jelly" Cover by Camile Velasco on the album Koy, 2008
• "The Mission" by Damian Marley on the album Reggae Gold in 2008.

Personal life

Stephen currently lives in Miami, Florida, where he has a home and a recording studio called "Lion's Den." He has a large and loving family, to whom he dedicates his life's work.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

• Mind Control (2007) (Sales: 9500, first week)^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ GRAMMY Winners Search

Mind Control (Acoustic) Dec. 2008

External links

• Official Stephen Marley Website
• Stephen Marley on MySpace
• Ghetto Youths
• Stephen Marley Takes Control: An Interview
• E's Concert Reviews: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and K'naan