Julian Marley Performs in Hawaii 2024

Son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Barbados-born Lucy Pounder, a Grammy award winning, roots-reggae musician, singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian. In the same tradition as his father, Julian Marley is a devout Rastafarian whose music is inspired by life and spirituality.
Born in London, England on June 4, 1975, Julian is the only son of Bob Marley born and raised in the U.K. Having been raised in England by his mother, Julian frequently visited his family and brothers Ziggy, Stephen, Damian and Kymani in Jamaica. Growing up as a youth in a musical atmosphere Julian quickly adopted a musical lifestyle and at an early age became a skillful, self-taught musician mastering the bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. By the tender age of five, Marley recorded his first demo at the Marley family home in Kingston, Jamaica. Julian reflects, “From a small age music has been in my life, it was just a natural thing.”
During Julian’s formative years in Jamaica, he began to study under legendary reggae veterans such as Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Carlton Barrett, Earl “Wire” Lindo, Tyrone Downie and Earl “Chinna” Smith, all of whom inspired the then fledgling song-bird. In 1987 when influential Wailers drummer Carlton Barrett was murdered outside of his home in Jamaica, Julian wrote two un-released songs, ‘Uprising’ and ‘What They Did Wrong’ in response to the incident. Subsequently he also formed a band called The Uprising, a roots-reggae band comprised of young Jamaican players. Julian and the Uprising would go on to open for his brother Ziggy Marley’s band, The Melody Makers and performed with The Wailers which at one time included Carlton Barrett’s son on drums.
In 1993, Julian decided to move to Jamaica to be closer to his brothers, and from that point on the gifted Marley brothers began to form their musical path. Julian, Stephen and Damian called on their brother Kymani Marley and the foursome formed a group called the Ghetto Youths Crew, a project that would find Julian touring the United States with his brothers for three consecutive years. Julian comments, “I give thanks for the musical guidance I received from my father and continue to receive from my brothers. It is with the inspiration of my family and the Most High that I create all of my songs today.”
Julian Marley JuJu Royal Album A Time And Place
In 2003, Julian joined his siblings Stephen, Cedella, Damian, and Kymani to contribute a version of the single, ‘Master Blaster’ for Stevie Wonder’s tribute album entitled, Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder Songs. That same year, Marley also recorded his sophomore effort entitled, A Time and Place at the Lion’s Den in Miami. An organic fusion of rootical reggae and jazz, A Time and Place was produced by brother Stephen Marley, and the album cemented Julian’s next milestone on his artistic path. Each track on the album was built on a solid foundation of traditional reggae, but contained a wide range influences which showcased Julian’s love for music. After several years of touring with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, the Ghetto Youths Crew, and his brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Julian had created a worldwide fan base for himself. Now, with the release of his sophomore album, Julian embarked on his own world tour that was backed by his band The Uprising, and circled Europe and the United States two times in support of A Time and Place.
In 2004, the Roots Rock Reggae Festival in the United States gave Julian the opportunity to unite and perform with all of the Marley brothers. Julian along with the Marley family also went on to perform a series of family ‘Africa Unite’ performances, including in Ethiopia in 2005, in Ghana in 2006, and in Jamaica in 2008. At the invitation of the Jamaican government, Julian Marley and The Uprising performed during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and celebrated along-side Jamaica’s Gold medal-winning runner, Usain Bolt.
Julian Marley JuJu Royal Album As I Am
A full decade passed before he followed up Awake with his fourth solo album, As I Am, in 2019, and a second Grammy Nomination. Another family affair, the sessions were co-produced by his brothers Stephen and Damian Marley.
Julian Marley ranks higher in the consciousness movement of music than most reggae artists recognized today. In the same tradition as his father, Julian is a devout Rastafarian whose music is inspired by life and spirituality. And while Julian has built a formidable reputation by transcending musical genres, we can be sure that all future endeavors that the music visionary embarks on will remain spiritual, moral and with a global mission. Julian notes, “I don’t plan the next step, I just continue on with Jah Works and somehow things seem to just come together naturally that way.”