Boomshots

Tag: Skip Marley

  • WATCH THIS: Skip Marley “Let’s Take It Higher” A Boomshots Documentary

    WATCH THIS: Skip Marley “Let’s Take It Higher” A Boomshots Documentary

    Awards Are Nice, But This Two-Time Grammy Nominee Answers To A Higher Calling

    “Live if you wanna live,” Bob Marley declared at the outset of his landmark album Rastaman Vibration, released almost 45 years ago, in April 1976. In the years before Legend, Bob Marley & the Wailers’ 1984 greatest hits collection, which remains the best-selling reggae album of all time, Rastaman Vibration was the record that broke Marley to American audiences, becoming the first Marley LP to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

    On the second track, “Roots Rock Reggae,” Marley took new listeners by the hand and introduced them to a new sound from the faraway island of Jamaica. “Play I some music,” Bob sang, and the I Threes—Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt—replied in unison, “This is reggae music.”

    At the start of the second verse, the Tuff Gong pleaded with industry gatekeepers and radio programmers. “Play I on the R&B,” he sang. “I want all my people to see. We’re bubbling on the Top 100 just like a mighty dread.” Bob’s prophecy was fulfilled when the song reached No. 51 on Billboard’s Top 100, but R&B radio would prove harder to penetrate. The top R&B song of 1976 was “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder, who had performed with Marley at Jamaica’s National Stadium the year before. But even white groups like The Steve Miller Band, The Bee Gees, and Hall & Oates were getting more love on American R&B radio than Bob Marley at the time. By 1980 Bob was booked as an opening act for The Commodores at Madison Square Garden, and famously upstaged the headliners but Marley’s earthly mission was soon cut short, to be continued.

    In May 2020, Bob’s grandson Skip Marley reached the top of Billboard’s Top Adult R&B Songs airplay chart with a gorgeous duet called “Slow Down” featuring R&B superstar H.E.R. The artists’ creative chemistry and song’s video made the track a fan favorite. “Slow Down” is nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2021 Grammy Awards this weekend. Skip’s debut project Higher Place is also nominated for the Best Reggae Album Grammy, a milestone in the 24-year-old singer/songwriter/musician/producer’s career.

    In “Let’s Take It Higher,” a new Boomshots documentary premiering today on VIBE.com, Skip reflects on the honor of being nominated for the prestigious awards and of carrying on a mighty legacy in his own unique style. Video After The Jump…
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  • Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    If The Stars Align This Weekend In Miami, Anything Can Happen

    The 9 Mile Music Festival was established in 1993 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in honor of her son, Robert Nesta Marley. Formerly known as Marley Fest and The Caribbean Music Festival, the event has been renamed 9 Mile after Bob’s birthplace as well as his final resting place—the little village in St. Ann Parish that lies at the heart of the Marley legacy. More than a concert,  the 9 Mile Music Festival provides millions of canned goods to local homeless shelters and domestic centers throughout Miami; feeding families in need for months after the show is over. For 22 years, the concert has required canned goods in addition to the price of admission, and it always will. Given its strong ties to the Marley family, the show is always packed with reggae royalty, and this year is no exception, with Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, and their nephew Skip Marley all scheduled to perform this Saturday, February 27th. In addition, both Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas are billed—and while each of these living legends will be performing his own set, anticipation is in the air that the two lyrical giants may join forces on stage to recreate the magic of their 2010 album Distant Relatives.  Full Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Skip Marley “Cry To Me” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Skip Marley “Cry To Me” PREMIERE

    Debut Single From The Grandson of The Tuff Gong

    “Music is freedom for me,” says Skip. “I want people to just feel the music and let it be anything they want to make of it.” As the grand-nephew of Marcia Griffiths, the grandson of Bob and Rita Marley, and the son of Cedella Marley of Melody Makers fame, it’s safe to say he comes a strong musical background. Skip wrote and arranged “Cry to Me,” his debut single on Tuff Gong International, which is not to be confused with his grandfather Gong’s tune from the Rastaman Vibration album. The new song was co-produced with Paul Fakhourie, who’s worked with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Nas. Born in Kingston and raised in Miami, Skip’s music is not limited by genre. He describes this song as “a message for this girl I know, well really a message for everybody who seems to focus on their insecurities… I’m just saying it’s cool to be who you are. Don’t let society deceive you and make you believe you’re not enough.” With penetrating, thoughtful lyrics and haunting melodies, this is one tune you don’t want to skip. Audio After The Jump… (more…)