Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Founder | Ziggy Marley, Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, Stephen Marley |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Reggae music albums and singles |
| Website | www |
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers was a reggae ensemble with Jamaican-American roots, consisting of Bob and Rita Marley's children: lead vocalist Ziggy Marley, along with Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, and Stephen Marley. Established in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, the group began their musical journey as pre-adolescents under the name the Melody Makers.
Their major success arrived with their fourth studio album, Conscious Party, which included the popular track "Tomorrow People" and the chart-topping "Tumblin' Down". The subsequent album, One Bright Day (1989), highlighted messages of hope and personal empowerment. In 2000, they embarked on an international tour promoting their live DVD, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers Live (2001). Notably, in 1996 they recorded the theme song for the children's television program Arthur.
1979–1983: Formation and Children Playing in the Streets
The group was formed at the behest of Bob Marley and gained prominence following his passing. Their artistic mission reflected Bob Marley's ideals of fostering unity through music by merging pop influences with reggae rhythms. The lineup featured four of Bob Marley's eleven offspring: Ziggy as lead vocalist and guitarist; Stephen on vocals, guitar, and drums; Cedella providing vocals; and Sharon also on vocals. Stephen played a key role in songwriting and lead vocal duties.
Their first musical release came in 1979 with "Children Playing in the Streets," a composition by Bob Marley intended to support children globally, with all proceeds donated to the United Nations' International Year of the Child initiative. Ziggy and Stephen performed at their father's funeral in May 1981 alongside the I-Threes and the Wailers. That same year saw the release of their second single, "What a Plot," through Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label. In 1983, they appeared at Reggae Sunsplash, an event where Ziggy and Stephen had earlier performed with the Wailers in 1979.
1984–1987: Debut album Play the Game Right, rebranding, and further releases
Starting in 1984, the Melody Makers collaborated with British producer Steve Levine, releasing the single "Lying in Bed". Their first full-length album, Play the Game Right, was released in 1985 with support from the Barrett brothers of the Wailers; however, its sound diverged notably from their father's traditional style.
In 1986, under the name Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, they released Hey World. This record showcased their developing musical direction—a fusion of lively pop elements with roots reggae enhanced by hip electro-production—solidifying their unique artistic identity. The band undertook extensive tours featuring opening performances by Nadine Sutherland and the I-Threes, earning positive acclaim at Reggae Sunsplash festivals in both 1986 and 1987.
1988–1990: Breakthrough with Conscious Party and follow-up albums
By 1988, their growing fame secured them a contract with major label Virgin Records. That year they produced Conscious Party alongside Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz from Talking Heads. The album achieved number 23 on the Billboard 200 and number 26 on the R&B Albums chart. It included the successful single "Tomorrow People," which reached number 16 on Mainstream Rock and number 39 on the Hot 100. The next single "Tumblin' Down" topped the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and peaked at number 28 on Dance Music/Club Play Singles. Conscious Party was honored with a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
Their subsequent release, One Bright Day (1989), placed at number 26 on the Billboard 200 and number 43 on R&B Albums charts. The track "Look Who's Dancin'" found success on dance charts, hitting number 41 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales and number 23 on Dance Music/Club Play Singles. Other singles from this album included "Black My Story (Not History)", "One Bright Day", "Justice", and "When the Lights Gone Out". This album also received a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
1991–1992: Jahmekya
In 1991, the band introduced their sixth studio album, Jahmekya. Although it garnered their most favorable critical acclaim to date, its commercial performance did not match that of earlier releases. The track "Good Time" reached number 85 on the Hot 100. The album itself climbed to number 3 on the Top World Music Albums and attained position 63 on the Billboard 200. Additional singles from the album included "Rainbow Country," "Kozmic," and "Small People," with the work earning a Grammy nomination.
1993–1997: Joy and Blues, Ghetto Youths United, departure from Virgin Records, and later albums
The group’s seventh album, Joy and Blues, was released in 1993 and achieved various chart placements: number 5 on Top World Music Albums, number 75 on R&B Albums, number 178 on the Billboard 200, and number 11 on Top Reggae Albums. This record featured former Wailers bassist Aston Barrett and marked their final collaboration with Virgin Records.
By 1995, they had signed with Elektra and issued Free Like We Want 2 B through their own imprint, "Ghetto Youths United." The album reached number 170 on the Billboard 200 and secured the third spot on Top Reggae Albums. Its single "Power to Move Ya" peaked at number 13 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.
In 1996, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers contributed "Love Power" to the soundtrack of Muppet Treasure Island and recorded "Believe in Yourself," which served as the theme song for PBS Kids' Arthur.
Early in 1997, the group performed at Central Park’s "Marley Magic Live" event and released a second greatest hits compilation titled The Best of (1988-1993). Later that year, their ninth studio album Fallen Is Babylon reached number 3 on the Top Reggae Albums. Its follow-up single "Everyone Wants to Be" charted at number 16 on Dance Music/Club Play Singles in 1998. This album earned them their third Grammy Award.
1999–2002: Spirit of Music and concluding releases
In 1999, they unveiled their tenth and final studio album, Spirit of Music, which topped the Top Reggae Albums chart. Singles such as "Higher Vibration," "Jah Will Be Done," and "One Good Spliff" were featured. That same year saw a reunion for the "One Love All-Star Tribute Concert," which was recorded and released with performances by artists including Rita Marley, Julian Marley, and Erykah Badu.
The live album Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol. 1 was released in 2000, reaching number 5 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. A concert DVD filmed in Pompano Beach, Florida followed in May 2001.
Disbanding and recent projects
Ziggy Marley embarked on his solo career in 2003 with the release of Dragonfly. Meanwhile, Stephen and Damian Marley formed Marley Boyz, launching Educated Fools through Ghetto Youths International and Tuff Gong International, collaborating with Ky-Mani Marley among other reggae musicians.
Cedella Marley serves as CEO of Miami-based Tuff Gong International, continuing to tour alongside the Melody Makers while performing globally. She also created a women’s apparel brand named Catch A Fire, inspired by Bob Marley's iconic album.
Sharon Marley oversees Ghetto Youth United, supports ongoing Melody Makers activities, and manages operations at the Bob Marley Museum.
Backing vocalist Erica Newell has pursued a solo path with her single "Inspire Me" under her independent label Ouida International; she also performs alongside Stephen Marley.
Ziggy's sophomore album Love Is My Religion (2006) earned a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Stephen's first solo effort Mind Control (2007) similarly received Grammy recognition. Subsequently, Ziggy released a live CD/DVD titled Love Is My Religion Live (2008) as well as his third studio album Family Time (2009). In that same year, Stephen toured with Snoop Dogg and Slightly Stoopid during the Blazed and Confused Tour and issued Mind Control Acoustic.
In 2011, Cedella designed the Jamaican national track and field team's uniforms for the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics in collaboration with Puma, outfitting athletes including Usain Bolt. Stephen released his second solo album Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life in May of that year; Ziggy followed with his fourth studio release Wild and Free in July, featuring the single "Forward to Love." Cedella also published her book One Love in September 2011. Both Ziggy’s Wild and Free and Stephen’s Revelation Part 1 were nominated for Grammys in 2012, with Stephen securing Best Reggae Album honors.
Public image
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were often likened to their father's ensemble, Bob Marley and the Wailers, a foundational reggae group from Jamaica. Jo-Ann Greene of All Music Guide observed that although Bob Marley's impact was clear in Ziggy’s singing style, the band carved out a unique, light pop sound that emphasized Ziggy’s expressive vocal delivery.
Discography
- Albums
- 1979: Children Playing
- 1985: Play the Game Right
- 1986: Hey World!
- 1988: Conscious Party
- 1989: One Bright Day
- 1991: Jahmekya
- 1993: Joy and Blues
- 1995: Free Like We Want 2 B
- 1997: Fallen Is Babylon
- 1999: Spirit of Music
Television and film appearances
- 1991: Sesame Street
- 1995: The Reggae Movie
- 1995: Family Matters (Episode: "Walking My Baby Back Home")
- 1996: Arthur (theme song)
- 1996: Muppet Treasure Island ("Love Power")
- 2008: Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's 60th Birthday
- 2012: Marley
Awards and nominations
| Year | Category | Work nominated | Outcome | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | |||||
| 1986 | Best Reggae Album | Play the Game Right | Nominated | ||
| 1989 | Best Reggae Album | Conscious Party | Won | ||
| 1990 | Best Reggae Album | One Bright Day | Won | ||
| 1992 | Best Reggae Album | Jahmekya | Nominated | ||
| 1994 | Best Reggae Album | Joy and Blues | Nominated | ||
| 1996 | Best Reggae Album | Free Like We Want 2 B | Nominated | ||
| 1998 | Best Reggae Album | Fallen Is Babylon | Won | ||