Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Barbados-born Lucy Pounder is a Grammy award nominated, roots-reggae musician, singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian.In the same tradition as his father, Julian “Ju Ju” 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 and 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.
While Julian’s childhood was equally split between England and Jamaica, his early adult years would find “Ju Ju” settling back into London and additionally creating a home base in Miami where the family owned studio, the Lion’s Den is based. Though Jamaican at heart Julian has widely credited his British upbringing as a deep influence on his musical career.
In 2002, Julian and his brothers Stephen and Damian officially incorporated Ghetto Youths International, Inc., the family owned record label that was first founded by Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley in 1989. The label allows the brothers to work closely with each other on musical collaborations. The Marley brothers also produce and release a catalogue of works featuring various artists for the Ghetto Youths imprint, including their own material, a venture that has successfully carried on the Marley tradition of communicating music to a global audience.
Julian Marley ranks higher in the consciousness movement of music than most reggae artists recognized today. And while Julian has built a formidable reputation by transcending musical genres, we can be sure that whatever ventures he will embark on in 2011, Julian “Ju Ju” Marley will remain a spiritual, moral, musical visionary with an international mission. Julian enthused, “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.”
