Julian Marley took some time out of his busy touring schedule to speak exclusively with WMV about the upcoming Grammy Awards and the declining state of Jamaica’s music and culture. The son of Bob Marley released his 5th studio album “Colors Of Royal” on March 24, 2023 and says the project has been submitted for voter’s consideration at the 2024 Annual Grammy Awards.
About his prospects for the award, Julian says that would be good and he likes to see all genres of music coming together for the annual awards but his greater mission is to do his part in bringing back reggae to the forefront of global music. “You know it’s bigger than Grammys, it’s bigger than Grammys, it’s good to be as a music, be a part of everything everyone is involved in. Every other music gathered together under one umbrella and say yeah, that’s good.” Still he contemplates reggae place at the Grammys and in the wider world. “But what is reggae music?” he asked.
The 48 year was nominated twice for a Grammy by way of his third studio album “Awake,” released by Universal Music/Tuff Gong in 2009. and The album got the nod for Best Reggae Album at the 53rd annual Grammys alongside Buju Banton‘s Rasta Got Soul, Gregory Isaacs‘ – Brand New Me, and Sean Paul‘ Imperial Blaze. His brother Stephen Marley took home the award for the Acoustic version of Mind Control.
His other nomination was 2020’s As I Am, alongside Sly and Robbie & the Roots Radics – The Final Battle: Sly & Robbie vs. Roots Radics, Steel Pulse – Mass Manipulation and Third World – More Work to Be Done. That was the year Koffee’s debut EP Rapture won the award.
Although he is yet to win music’s biggest trophy, Julian has toured the world and continues to be one of the most in demand reggae artists across Europe, South America and North America. The Recording Academy’s voters do not take into consideration the amount of records sold according to Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., but Julian questions what needs to be done for reggae music to be where it needs to be at the Grammys and on the charts.
“How much records need to be sold for reggae music to get into a Grammy? 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000? Mi nuh know? So reggae music have to be lifted up again. It’s great to be part of that(Grammys), but that still nuh she nuttn, we want some number one,” he quipped.
The U.K. born reggae star reflects on a time when Reggae music was popular in his birth country and elsewhere with dozens of top headline acts but says as he travels the world, that seems to be no more. “Back in the 70s, you go to England you hear about Peter Tosh, you hear bout Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, four dozen reggae artists, but right now its limited. We need to saturate this culture with this music and this message because without that it kinda thin. That’s what’s happening now, Everything kinda thin,” he laments.
“You a make reggae music or you a make Pop music or sun else?” he added.
The Boom Draw singer cites a lack of unity among Jamaica reggae artists and ‘all people of African descent’ for the descending lifestyle values that he says have permeated the culture.
“African people in general home and abroad, have a lack of unity, and a lack of vision. We a talk bout we culture, which culture have? wine up wine up? Drink up Drink Up? Drunk up drunk up? Shot Up Shoot up? What’s the culture that change so much people around the world? The people dem still a wonder are we still getting anything good form this place?” he said.
“Me travel a lot a places and the people say yo me used to go to Jamaican back in a certain time but it change up. Them nuh feel so secure. It different. Everything kinda change up a away,” he explained.
Unlike many dancehall acts in the past who absolved themselves and their personal responsibility, Julian believes it is the duty and care of every artist to assist with shaping the society’s values.
“Its up to I and I, the people, up to the artist them, from myself, come right across the board to every artists,” he said
