A Rare Radio Session with Reggae Royalty Ziggy Marley

When Ziggy Marley stopped by to play a career-spanning set (he’s released over a dozen studio albums throughout his career, including his time with the Melody Makers!), every song was a classic.

Even the two songs from his recent self-titled album – “Butterflies” and “Start It Up” fit right in, as if we’d known them forever.

The first track of the set, “Conscious Party” was released in 1988 and was his first breakout hit in the U.S.

The eldest son of Bob Marley is still devoted to spreading social consciousness in his music (as you can hear in “Start it Up”), telling host Jason Bentley he “grew up with music being a tool for changing the world and bringing people together.”

“I don’t see myself as a musician first. I am a human being. So with being a human being, it comes with a lot of responsibility, always. We have to treat each other properly. We have to treat the planet properly. We have a responsibility as a human being. The musician side of it really comes because I’m inspired to write songs…the main reason why I do music is because I’m inspired to write songs that I feel may have some impact on the world.”

Ziggy now calls LA home and stopped by KCRW before a big hometown show at the Belasco Theater. If you missed it, find the full session here!

RR