The Goan: You do a lot of your original music, but you alsoperform a lot of Bob’s music as well. Since reggae is very personal, how do youconnect to what your father wrote?
Julian Marley: Bob was born in the roots of reggae, hemingled with everyone across the different classes, so his music is very downto earth. I have this connection to my father’s music since I listened to itfrom the time I was a child. I have a personal connection to some of the songs…
TG: …like Natty Dread?
JM: (laughs and points to his back) Bob used to play NattyDread with me in a sling on his backline. I was a little kid then. His musicwas in me from that time.
TG: Reggae was one of the best forms of protest music duringthe 60s to the 80s. There was so much happening politically and otherwise towrite about. Is it the same now? Is reggae still relevant?
JM: Yes. Reggae still represents change. The protests aredifferent now, but the music educates the people about what is happening aroundthem. Reggae is still the music, it is still needed.
TG: But what about roots reggae. Are there still musicianswho are standing up for everyday people and talking about oppression, hardshipand the Rastafari way of life?
JM: There are a lot of youth with good music, who arekeeping roots reggae alive. Yes, a lot of reggae artists are making their musicmore commercial by only talking about drugs and sex, but that is normal. Thereis always mud that dirties water but we have to come up with a good filtrationsystem. Many are called, but few are chosen. I am lucky to be one of thechosen.
TG: A lot of people today, including musicians, are notaware of how deep reggae’s roots go, or the different forms of reggae today. Isthat an issue, when it comes to promoting reggae?
JM: You cannot be a fruit if you do not know the roots. Ibelieve it is important to know the roots of reggae, it is important to educatethe people.
TG: A lot of your music has different, more modern sounds.Do you get influenced by a lot of other music around?
JM: I believe it is important to keep an open mind, when itcomes to music. You cannot be restricted by just a few forms. Right now in myiPod, I have some Miles Davis, Nas…
TG: What is it like now in Kingston in the Marley household?Do all of you jam?
JM: It is fun. Ziggy and Jr Gong (Damian Marley) and all ofus, we play music. We have also formed an organisation called Ghetto Youths andwe work with children and educate and counsel them. We are giving back, keepingthe spirit of Bob Marley alive.
