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Ziggy Marley Urges the World: Embrace Peace Now | Music Spotlight
Ziggy Marley is set to bring his “Circle of Peace Tour” to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Tuesday, July 23. This tour, named after one of Marley’s songs, is more than a musical performance; it’s a movement.
“I have an important message and it’s about a circle of peace,” Marley said from his Los Angeles home. “This message is rarely in an entertainment space. This is an important message to the people that we need peace now more than ever.”
The song “Circle of Peace” is from Marley’s 2018 album “Rebellion Rises” and holds deep personal significance. Lyrics like “Skeptics say it can’t be done, eh/We proving them wrong, is so much fun,” reflect his confidence in the message’s power.
For Marley, peace and unity are lifelong commitments. As the eldest son of reggae icons Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy honors the socially conscious values of his parents. “I grew up this way,” he said. “I only know one way to be. There is a lot of hate and divisiveness in this world but we can combat that with doing the right thing. It’s about peace, love, and unification.”
Bob Marley shared these same ideals. Ziggy was just 12 when his father died in 1981, but he has long been dedicated to preserving his father’s legacy. “The message from my father was always about love,” Marley added.
This theme is central to the biopic “Bob Marley: One Love,” released in February. Ziggy Marley was intricately involved in the film’s production. “So much effort was placed into the film to make it right,” he explained. “It was an introspective look through those who knew him best.”
Ziggy Marley, now 55, continues to spread his peace message through music. His career spans 17 albums, whether solo or with his siblings in the Melody Makers. “It’s what I do, man,” he said. “It’s my passion.”
Throughout his career, Marley has written songs imbued with universal love rather than personal affection. “The love I always focus on in song and in life is that of universal love,” he stated.
Marley’s focus on significant issues sets him apart from many contemporary artists who sing about materialism. “There are a lot of songs about things but that is to be expected,” he noted. “Music is an industry that is a profit industry. But there are more important subjects to sing about than things.”
His work includes songs about African freedom fighters, toxic leadership, and religious oppression. Songs like “Circle of Peace” call for a peaceful rebellion. “People don’t think that peace can be achieved but I don’t believe that,” Marley argued. “I wrote ‘Circle of Peace’ to encourage people to take a stand for peace.”
Marley’s last album, “More Family Time,” was released in 2020, featuring family-oriented, loose, and catchy tunes. “When I make family albums, it’s freeing,” he said. “Children don’t judge musicians, and I get to be like a child again.”
Marley is continually working on new material. “I’m making music all the time,” he said. “The inspiration never stops. When the inspiration stops, I’ll stop.”
Even if he ever stops recording, live performances remain a constant for him. Marley excels at connecting with his audience. “It just happens even though I’m a very shy person,” he admitted. “What you see is what you get. I’m not good at being fake. I’m good at being myself.”
Work is a significant part of Marley’s life. “That’s who I am because I think it’s passed down from my father,” he said. “My father said, ‘The bad guys aren’t taking a day off. So, why should we take a day off?’ With this tour, I want to spread the word of peace, love, and unity since that’s what we all need.”
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