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BOSS MAGAZINE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
82
Jamaica
Live from
by kern carter
Boss Magazine was inside of National Stadium in Jamaica to join
in the birthday celebration in honour of the late great musical
icon Bob Marley. National Stadium is the actual site of Bob
Marley’s historic Peace Concert, and artists old and new came
out to perform and show their love and appreciation. Boss was
able to catch up with some of these artists to ask them what Bob
Marley meant to them and their careers.
Julian Marley
One can only imagine the world-wind
of emotions Julian Marley feels when
performing at a celebration honouring
his father and the greatest reggae
musician of all time.
“It feels very good celebrating our
father’s Earth-strong, yuh know. And
it’s a great feeling here tonight with
so much people turning out, so much
great artists.”
And Julian most certainly must be
included in that category of ‘great
artists.’ He has established himself as
one of the prominent figures in reggae
today, having been nominated for a
Grammy with his “Awake” album in
2009, and having toured the world
over, bringing his roots style of music
to the masses.
“The message is L.O.V.E. Say it, spread
it in many different ways. That’s the
message we have for all fans and
everyone.”
Julian has been spreading that
message since his debut album in the
mid-nineties. Replicating his father’s
message of love and inclusion, Julian
has created a distinct spot for himself
through his own music. He learned to
play several instruments at an early
age, including the keys and drums, and
has transferred that knowledge to
his stage shows, which are powerfully
engaging to audiences of all cultures.
Julian is now looking ahead to new
music and new experiences.
“Currently I’ve been writing some songs
and doing some studio work also. And
working on the album, so hopefully
by summertime we’ll have something
ready for the fans.”
With a string of tour dates ahead,
including the 9 Mile Festival in Miami,
fans will certainly get a full dose of
Julian before the new album. The son
of a legend, Julian has carried on the
Marley tradition of influential music
proudly. We thank him for taking time
to speak to the Boss family.
A legend in his own right, Beenie man
has performed at National Stadium
many times to sold out crowds
singing along to any one of his classic
dancehall tracks. Regardless of his own
success, Beenie is always humbled at
the opportunity to pay tribute to the
ultimate reggae icon.
“To celebrate Bob Marley birthday
is always an honour. My kids told me
they wanted to come to the concert at
National Stadium so I brought them.
They asked me to go on stage and sing
a few songs, I did that.”
And for that, I’m sure the crowd at
National Stadium was appreciative.
A staple in the dancehall scene for
close to three decades, Beenie Man
transcends what it means to be a
traditional artist, instead he defines it.
He has won awards, toured the world,
stirred up controversy, but more than
anything, he has consistently put out
great music that connects with his core
fans and that has allowed him to not
only survive, but to thrive in an industry
where new artists spring up every year.
So for BOSS to catch up with Beenie
and see him pay tribute to another
legend truly shows how powerful Bob
Marley’s influence has been, and how
many artists he has truly inspired, and
continues to inspire. But Beenie isn’t
finished. You would think an artist
who put out his first album before he
was a teenager would be somewhat
Beenie Man
satisfied with his accomplishments.
With early hits like “Who Am I,” classic
albums like “Blessed,” and with a string
of 8 consecutive DJ of the Year awards
during the 1990’s, Beenie’s status is
secure even if he chose not to ever put
out another record.
But that would not be the work ethic
that has lead to Beenie being called
King of Dancehall. He has continued
to produce hits into this decade,
including “Rum and Redbull,” which
was an international radio smash. And
now even more work ahead, inside and
outside of music.
“Right now I’m working on my new
LP. It’s called Greatest Gyalist so right
now that is the whole agenda. And I’m
working on a new television series for
Jamaica. It’s more like a detective, bad
boy, rude boy police ting. It’s not like a
comedy ting, you know. It’s something
everybody can pick up.”
The name of the TV series will be called
“Just Like Kingston,” playing off of a
video Beenie was featured in while
in Canada. He also says the series will
definitely be accessible to Canadian
fans as the financing is from a Canadian
source.
So keep looking out for more and
more from Beenie Man. He has set
the standard for dancehall music and
continues to remain relevant across the
world.