Ziggy learned Rastafari faith from his parents and had access to some of the world's best reggae musicians in the comp band of his father – the legendary reggae Wailers. Ziggy Marley first sat in on recording sessions with Bob Marley and the Wailers when he was around 10 years old. Joining with his three siblings to become The Melody Makers, Ziggy crafted his own soulful sound blending blues, RnB, hip-hop and roots reggae.
After their first two albums, Play The Game Right (1985) and Hey World! (1986), The Melody Makers earned their first Grammy (Best Reggae Recording) for Conscious Party (1988), an album produced by Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth which included the hit songs "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down."
Subsequent albums included the Grammy-winning One Bright Day (1989), Jamekya (1991), Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want 2 B (1995), their third Grammy winner Fallen is Babylon (1997), Spirit of Music (1999) and Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol 1 (2000), which featured some of their biggest hits as well as a cover of Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved."
While selling records by the millions and selling out countless concerts with the Melody Makers, including a recent European tour, Ziggy Marley has never lost sight of his foundation of faith, fellowship and family.
After two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, Ziggy stepped out on his own with his first solo album, Dragonfly (2003). Never content to rehash the success of his past, Ziggy uses Dragonfly to explore new ground and create his own distinctive musical identity as a solo artist.
"Working on my own gave me a chance to take my time and experiment a lot," Ziggy says of the material on Dragonfly." It took one year to finish this record. It's the longest I've ever worked on a album. It's different when you on your own. At some point it's scary and then at another it's a drive that makes you focus more."
Although the members of the most close-knit musical families often yearn to step out on their own, for Ziggy, a solo debut was not a long-awaited goal. "It's not something that I wished for since I began doing music," he says. "It was just the circumstances, and I wanted to be true to myself and what I feel. The record has strong messages and it feels good."
In addition to being Ziggy's first album of solo material, for Dragonfly he felt it was time for a change of scene. "Usually we record in Kingston. These songs were written in Jamaica and recorded in America. I did the first set of recordings in a house in Miami and then went to L.A. rented a house, set up my equipment and basically did the rest there. I left Jamaica for a while, because as an artist I need to experience different things, to see the world and have different energies. Living in one place is not good for me and I was tired of making music in a studio setting. I wanted it to be more like everyday life a part of me.
"As an individual, I've opened up more by traveling outside Jamaica, and I've been more able to be open to people and ideas. It helps me to grow as a person to be outside of my element; to be on my own in a strange place meeting people. That's good for me not to be in my secure domain."
The evidence of that growth is everywhere on Dragonfly.
On July 2nd, 2006, Ziggy released his second album, Love is My Religion. He states "This album is from my heart," and he feels that he embraces his spiritual and emotional side of life. This album show Ziggy coming into his own as an artist, as he wrote all of the songs for the album and played nearly all of the instruments.
Love is My Religion is a testament to Ziggy Marley's talent as he follows in the footsteps of his father, the Legend.
Africa Land
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and the whole wide world.
Come by sea, come by land, come by air
Come hand in hand
We're celebrating, the start of a brand new thing
North Africa
West Africa
East Africa
South Africa
Oh beautiful African Land,
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
We're all the same, breakdown mental chains
Now and forever let freedom reign
I justice and peace we can believe
People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
Here in Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Jah!
En Sengalla girl on one corner, it be Eitrea to Angola, Ethiopia to South Africa, this is the land of our forefathers
Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor
From Congo unto Nigeria
Lift up your voice and shout "Africa"!
In unity we will achieve
Here we stand on victory street
One goal, one aim, one destiny
People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
African chant [?]
Meet "I" in Capetown
There's people from all around
Come by sea, come by land, come by air, come hand in hand
We're celebrating, the start of a brand new thing
North Africa
West Africa
Central Africa
East Africa
South Africa
Oh beautiful Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land etc
En Sengalla girl on one corner, it be Eitrea to Angola, Ethiopia to South Africa, this is the land of our forefathers
Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor
From Congo unto Nigeria
The lyrics to Ziggy Marley's song Africa Land send a message of unity and celebration of the African continent, as well as a call to break free from mental chains and let freedom reign. The song opens with an invitation to meet in Johannesburg, a major city in South Africa. The subsequent lines call for people from all over the world to come together in unity, regardless of how they arrive. The focus then shifts to celebrating the start of a new thing; that is, the coming together of North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and South Africa. The repetition of the phrase "Africa Land" throughout the song reinforces the idea of a shared identity and a united people.
The lyrics then urge listeners to break down mental chains and let freedom reign, invoking justice and peace. The message is clear: people are ready to celebrate a new day, a new world where everyone is treated equally. The song culminates in an African chant, followed by an invitation to meet in Cape Town where people from all around the world can come hand in hand to celebrate the beauty of the African continent. The repetition of the phrase "Africa Land" at the end reinforces the unity of the people, no matter where they come from on the continent.
Overall, Ziggy Marley's Africa Land is a powerful message of unity against oppression and a celebration of African heritage. It emphasizes that we all have the power to break free of mental chains and that the greatest triumphs are achieved through united efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
Meet me in Johannesburg.
Ziggy Marley wants to meet everyone in Johannesburg to initiate something new.
Me and the whole wide world.
Ziggy Marley wants everyone from every corner of the world to come along.
Come by sea, come by land, come by air
Ziggy Marley welcomes everyone to travel by whatever means possible.
Come hand in hand
Ziggy Marley wants everyone to come together in unity.
We're celebrating, the start of a brand new thing
Ziggy Marley is excited about a new beginning.
North Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, starting with North Africa.
West Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including West Africa.
Central Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including Central Africa.
East Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including East Africa.
South Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including South Africa.
Oh beautiful African Land,
Ziggy Marley is paying tribute to Africa.
Africa Land
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
We're all the same, breakdown mental chains
Ziggy Marley believes that everyone is equal and aims to shatter stereotypes and prejudices.
Now and forever let freedom reign
Ziggy Marley believes in freedom and stands for the same.
I justice and peace we can believe
Ziggy Marley believes that justice and peace are fundamental values.
People are you ready?
Ziggy Marley is calling upon everyone to get ready.
Let's celebrate a new day!
Ziggy Marley wants everyone to celebrate the beginning of a new era.
I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Jah!
Ziggy Marley is excited to return to the land of his forefathers.
En Sengalla girl on one corner, it be Eitrea to Angola, Ethiopia to South Africa, this is the land of our forefathers
Ziggy Marley highlights the diverse heritage of Africa.
Land of the [?]
The land of our forefathers is a symbolic reference to Africa.
Place is the birth of the ancestor
Africa is the place where Ziggy Marley's forefathers were born.
From Congo unto Nigeria
Ziggy Marley is paying tribute to the different regions of Africa.
Lift up your voice and shout "Africa"!
Ziggy Marley wants everyone to come together and shout Africa.
In unity we will achieve
Ziggy Marley believes that unity is the key to success.
Here we stand on victory street
Ziggy Marley is hopeful for a bright future and victory.
One goal, one aim, one destiny
Ziggy Marley emphasizes having a common goal and destiny.
People are you ready?
Ziggy Marley is calling upon everyone to get ready.
Let's celebrate a new day!
Ziggy Marley wants everyone to celebrate the beginning of a new era.
African chant [?]
The African chant symbolizes the spirit and culture of Africa.
Meet "I" in Capetown
Ziggy Marley wants to meet everyone in Cape Town to carry on the celebrations.
There's people from all around
Ziggy Marley anticipates people from different parts of the world would have joined the celebrations.
Come by sea, come by land, come by air, come hand in hand
Ziggy Marley reiterates the welcoming spirit of everyone.
We're celebrating, the start of a brand new thing
Ziggy Marley is thrilled about a new beginning.
North Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, starting with North Africa.
West Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including West Africa.
Central Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including Central Africa.
East Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including East Africa.
South Africa
Celebrating the diversity of the different regions in Africa, including South Africa.
Oh beautiful Africa Land
Ziggy Marley is paying tribute to Africa.
Africa Land
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
Africa Land
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
Africa Land
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
Africa Land
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
Africa Land etc
Africa Land is a symbolic reference to the continent of Africa.
Writer(s): Angelique Kidjo, Stephen Marley, David Nesta Marley, Ziggy Marley Copyright: Ishti Music, Ishti Music Publishing
Contributed by Tristan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Intel Gence
Meet me in Johannesburg.
Me and the whole wide world.
Come by sea,
come by land,
come by air
Come hand in hand
We're celebrating,
the start of a brand new thing
North Africa West Africa
Central Africa East Africa South Africa
Oh beautiful African Land, Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land
We're all the same, breakdown mental chains
Now and forever let freedom reign
In justice and peace we can believe People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
Here in Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land
I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Jah!
En Sengalla girl on one corner,
it be Eitrea to Angola,
Ethiopia to South Africa,
this is the land of our forefathers Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor From Congo unto Nigeria
Lift up your voice and shout "Africa"!
In unity we will achieve
Here we stand on victory street
One goal, one aim, one destiny People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
African chant [?]
Meet "I" in Capetown
There's people from all around Come by sea,
come by land,
come by air,
come hand in hand
We're celebrating,
the start of a brand new thing
North Africa
West Africa
Central Africa
East Africa
South Africa
Oh beautiful Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
En Sengalla girl on one corner,
it be Eitrea to Angola,
Ethiopia to South Africa,
this is the land of our forefathers Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor From Congo unto Nigeria
Y0SHiiiTubeee
You are really one of the greatest reggae artists alive! <3
Brotspinnchen
Wow, Ziggy you are amazing :) Free music for everyone.. Your music is just beautiful..Greetings from Germany :))
lunik Berisha
One love from Kosovo :))) With ziggy I've understood how many great souls are grooving in this world.
Yuri Borges Landeiro
Eu quero comprar o HQ do Ziggy ;D
Yuri Borges Landeiro
Gostei do som ;D
Sunvibes
One Love from South Africa <3
Intel Gence
Meet me in Johannesburg.
Me and the whole wide world.
Come by sea,
come by land,
come by air
Come hand in hand
We're celebrating,
the start of a brand new thing
North Africa West Africa
Central Africa East Africa South Africa
Oh beautiful African Land, Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land
We're all the same, breakdown mental chains
Now and forever let freedom reign
In justice and peace we can believe People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
Here in Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land Africa Land
I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Jah!
En Sengalla girl on one corner,
it be Eitrea to Angola,
Ethiopia to South Africa,
this is the land of our forefathers Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor From Congo unto Nigeria
Lift up your voice and shout "Africa"!
In unity we will achieve
Here we stand on victory street
One goal, one aim, one destiny People are you ready?
Let's celebrate a new day!
African chant [?]
Meet "I" in Capetown
There's people from all around Come by sea,
come by land,
come by air,
come hand in hand
We're celebrating,
the start of a brand new thing
North Africa
West Africa
Central Africa
East Africa
South Africa
Oh beautiful Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
Africa Land
En Sengalla girl on one corner,
it be Eitrea to Angola,
Ethiopia to South Africa,
this is the land of our forefathers Land of the [?]
Place is the birth of the ancestor From Congo unto Nigeria
Neat Technologiestz
Perfect in context of Africa
Lil Brookes
Nice Track Angelique is just dope as usual
anniseed7523
Fantastic Track