Following in his famous father's footsteps, Ziggy made his recording debut alongside his siblings on Bob Marley's track "Children Playing in the Streets”. From an early age Ziggy had developed an interest in music as his father showed him the ropes and taught him the drums and guitars as he sat in mesmerised by studio sessions of The Wailers.
In 1979 along with his siblings Ziggy formed the Melody Makers who signed to EMI with Ziggy on lead vocals. They released their debut album "Play the Game" in 1985, produced by their mother which leaned towards a much poppier sound. After the lack of sales from their second release “Hey World” in 1986, the label wanted to market Ziggy as a solo artist but standing firm in belief they parted ways with EMI, moving to Virgin Records where they came to be known as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
With the new label on board the band released the album “Conscious Party” in 1988 which was a commercial success, making its way into the Top 40 US charts featuring the iconic track “Tomorrow People”. In 1989 the album received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
As the nineties held little success for the band, Ziggy’s political voice became more apparent as he began working more with the United Nations after being recognised as their Goodwill Youth Ambassador. In 2002 alongside his brothers Ziggy started up Ghetto Youths Crew record label with the premise of helping under privileged youths in their daily struggle to survive.
Ziggy released his first solo album “Dragonfly” in 2003 which featured Flea and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chilli Peppers on the track “Rainbow in the Sky” and reached number three in Billboard’s top reggae albums. His second release “Love Is My Religion” in 2006 through his father’s label Tuff Gong Worldwide continued the success of his previous album and earned him another Grammy in 2007 for Best Reggae Album. It was the title track which saw Ziggy reach unprecedented heights as he blossomed into a worldwide star with his music the hitting airwaves.
Continuing his father’s namesake, Ziggy has continued building on the Marley legacy divulging into children’s author, philanthropist and musician.
Afemata may have been born in Long Beach but he was raised on the tough streets of Compton. The man credits music and his family with keeping him on the straight and narrow, and the combination of the two was what first sparked the young Boog’s interest in singing and performing.
Boog was four years old when his sister took up piano lessons, and there was something about the music that fascinated him even at that age. He would watch her play, learn along with her at the same time, and soon after he found that he could sing along with her playing note for note.
After that, she started playing from a Bob Marley songbook and from then on, all bets were off.Afemata was hooked, he began singing wherever he could, but only took it seriously as a career prospect after high school.
Fast forward to 2007, where a trip to Hawaii and a chance meeting with legendary reggae singer George Veikoso (AKA Fiji) led to Boog handing the veteran singer a mixtape he’d been working on. Fiji got Boog to perform for the staff of South Pac Records, and they began working on Boog’s debut album the day after. Literally.
As if that wasn’t fairytale enough, his debut album “Hear Me Roar” went on to chart in the top ten of the Billboard Reggae albums chart, and his second effort, 2011’s “Backyard Boogie” topped it. He’s truly one of American reggae’s hottest talents, and it’s only getting hotter from hear on out.
Ziggy Marley puts his incredible mark on the legacy that was started by his father Bob Marley. Ziggy is the eldest son, and has been releasing reggae and Jamaican infused soul for the past decade.
When you see Ziggy live, you understand immediately where he comes from, and how he's managed to amass a large following in a relatively short time. As far as reggae goes, Ziggy plays the style in the familiar modern style, with Caribbean sounds and feel. There is political, romantic, and cultural references abound in the songs, which are incredibly smooth and catchy.Ziggy Marley plays for bigger crowds in recent years.
I saw him open up for 311 back in 2011 in St. Louis. For an opening act, he really blew me away -- as well as the rest of the crowd -- with an incredible performance full of passion and professionalism. He had a large band, including backup singers off to the side of the stage, which added to the feel of the show. He played songs spanning his entire studio collection, but I'd say the show peaked during "Melancholy Mood" and "Changes."
The show is full of color and rasta attitude; I can't wait to see him perform again.
There are few gigs that will leave you smiling as much as the experience of seeing J Boog live. The Samoa-born, California-raised J Boog (aka jerry Afernata) and his Hawaiian reggae band deliver some of the freshest, most ear-pleasing island vibes and singalong harmonies around today.
Since the surprise success of their debut album 'So Far Gone' in 2007, J Boog quit his Compton refinery job, packed up and moved to Hawaii to pursue music full-time, and has been touring and recording non-stop ever since. While their first album was very much a chilled-out, Hawaiian reggae sound, their latest musical output has tapped into J Boog's Jamaican reggae influences, with songs like the radio-friendly 'Let's Do It Again', and covers of Bob Marley songs such as the immortal 'Turn Your Lights Down Low'.
As a live act, J Boog are pure sunshine entertainment. I saw them in 2012 opening for Cali reggae superstars Rebelution at Stubb's BBQ in Austin, Texas, which was the perfect setting for such a positive, feelgood band. Their brand of South Pacific-meets-Southern California cool was epitomized by the band's lei garlands and matching American football jerseys. This is music that is best listened to outdoors, but even if it's raining, J Boog's reggae will transport you to tropical beaches and sunny climes. They're a hardworking bunch and tour a lot, so don't miss an opportunity to see them live!
louise_h
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