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.
Fly Rasta ft. U-Roy
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreader than dread, natty got to hold up you head
Redder than red, say Natty rougher than rough
Take that vow of separation onto the Lord
Drink no strong drink, see no dead
And all the days of your vow of separation
No razor shall come upon your head
Fly rasta (fly rasta), fly rasta (fly rasta)
Rooter than root, natty ever speak the truth
Truther than truth, almighty Jah Jah
Now there's an evil which we've seen under the sun
And it is common among men
For what have the fool more than the wise
Man can't live alone on bread (No way as I would say)
Delight in the laws of Jah Jah (On to the Most High Jah)
And on Jah meditate day and night (Liveth and reigneth in the hearts of every man I-tinually)
Like the tree planted by water (I say back off with your ism, skism and your folly)
Who's leaves never wither
Oh, fly rasta (fly rasta), now fly rasta (fly rasta)
Dreader than dread, so natty redder than red yow
Oh, it redder than red, give thanks and praise each and every day
But I say blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly
Nor standeth in the way of sinners, like I would say
Take a vow of separation
And all the days of your life
Let no razor come up on your head, flash your Natty dread! Fly Natty Dread!
Fly rasta (fly rasta), fly rasta (fly rasta)
Now it red (Natty ever speak the truth yow)
Oh, it redder than red (Natty don't tell no lie)
Now fly Rasta (Natty redder than red yow)
Oh, fly Rasta (Run weh Babylon, tell it to dem)
Root is of the root (Say Natty redder than red yow)
Now the truth is of the truth (Say Natty heavier than led)
The song "Fly Rasta" by Ziggy Marley is a call to action for individuals to foster a connection with their spiritual roots and live a life dedicated to faith, truth, and righteousness. The lyrics encourage listeners to take a vow of separation - to be in the world but not of it. It calls for individuals to avoid strong drink and other distractions that may cause them to stray from their path. The reference to taking a vow of separation onto the Lord is inspired by the Nazirite vow, which is found in the Old Testament. The Nazirite vow was a voluntary practice in which an individual would dedicate themselves to God and abstain from certain physical or worldly pleasures.
The song also emphasizes the importance of living a moral life, as the lyrics highlight an evil that exists in the world and the promise of blessings for those who delight in the "laws of Jah Jah." The reference to Jah Jah is a nod to Rastafarianism, a religious movement that originated in Jamaica and considers Haile Selassie I, the former Ethiopian emperor, to be the messiah. Rastafarians place a strong emphasis on seeking truth and righteousness and reject materialism and the oppressive forces of Babylon.
Overall, "Fly Rasta" encourages listeners to embrace their spiritual roots and live a life that is dedicated to truth and righteousness. It is a powerful call to action that is delivered through uplifting melodies and lyrics that inspire listeners to fly high and rise above the mundane distractions of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Fly rasta (fly rasta), fly rasta (fly rasta)
Let us embrace the Rasta culture by living our truest selves
Dreader than dread, natty got to hold up you head
Stay confident and true to yourself despite the challenges of life
Redder than red, say Natty rougher than rough
Be strong and resilient like a rugged Rasta
Take that vow of separation onto the Lord
Live a disciplined and righteous life devoted to Jah
Drink no strong drink, see no dead
Abstain from temptation and negative influences
And all the days of your vow of separation
Make this commitment for your entire lifetime
No razor shall come upon your head
Let your Dreadlocks grow and be a symbol of your faith
Rooter than root, natty ever speak the truth
Stay grounded in the Rasta way of life and always be honest
Truther than truth, almighty Jah Jah
Jah is the ultimate truth and we must always seek his guidance
Now there's an evil which we've seen under the sun
We have witnessed evil deeds in the world
And it is common among men
Sadly, many people choose to do wrong
For what have the fool more than the wise
Foolish people often have less than wise people
Man can't live alone on bread (No way as I would say)
We need more than just basic sustenance to live a fulfilling life
Delight in the laws of Jah Jah (On to the Most High Jah)
Find joy in following Jah's teachings and living a righteous life
And on Jah meditate day and night (Liveth and reigneth in the hearts of every man I-tinually)
Focus your mind and spirit on Jah at all times
Like the tree planted by water (I say back off with your ism, skism and your folly)
Be strong and steadfast like a tree that has a reliable source of nourishment
Who's leaves never wither
Stay healthy and strong like a tree that never loses its leaves
Oh, fly rasta (fly rasta), now fly rasta (fly rasta)
Embrace the freedom of Rasta culture and live your truest self
Dreader than dread, so natty redder than red yow
Be confident like a true Rasta with vibrant, red Dreadlocks
Oh, it redder than red, give thanks and praise each and every day
Be grateful for life's blessings and show appreciation to Jah
But I say blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly
Avoid negative influences and seek guidance from Jah
Nor standeth in the way of sinners, like I would say
Do not succumb to sinful behavior
Take a vow of separation
Make a commitment to live a righteous life
And all the days of your life
Keep this commitment for your entire lifetime
Let no razor come up on your head, flash your Natty dread! Fly Natty Dread!
Let your Dreadlocks grow as a symbol of your faith, always stay true to your Rasta culture
Now it red (Natty ever speak the truth yow)
Be confident and honest like a vibrant, red Rasta
Oh, it redder than red (Natty don't tell no lie)
Always be truthful and sincere, never telling lies
Now fly Rasta (Natty redder than red yow)
Embrace the Rasta way of life and be confident and strong
Oh, fly Rasta (Run weh Babylon, tell it to dem)
Embrace the freedom of Rasta culture and reject negativity and oppression
Root is of the root (Say Natty redder than red yow)
Stay true to the foundations of Rasta culture and be confident like a deeply rooted tree
Now the truth is of the truth (Say Natty heavier than led)
Stay true to your honesty and sincerity, always standing strong like a heavy weight
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID NESTA MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@malikshakur6284
Much respect Ziggy.
@EyesLikeBlues1
Worth buying! Can't wait!
@mwahhyzzz
Like father like son! Love this song❤ Jah Rastafari!
@DiamondHeadgames
Very Fly, love the opening canvas colors, puts you in the right spot for the song. Nice work Jim, U-Roy, Ziggy & friends.
@user-sh4cv9tc4c
Sixzlarise thw
@JohnMacLeanPhotography
Ziggy Marley so looking forward to your new music on 4/15!
@Logantl74
Love this tune !!! Ziggy to the roooooooooots !
@rastamusic6055
Great listening pleasure! ROOTS!!
@MassMediaArtistry
fist time i saw Ziggy live was 1989 at berkley Greek for Sunsplash this is a refreshing song that reminds me of his roots more more more
BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
PS
your work for the children is wonderful
@cryptozoomauler5505
Cool song and very cool artist!