David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghet… Read Full Bio ↴David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghetto of Trenchtown, Jamaica), composer, singer and guitarist, is a multiple Grammy-winning (reggae) Jamaican musician. He is known for songs like "Tomorrow People", "Love Is My Religion" and "A Lifetime", He is the oldest son in the marriage between the singer Rita Anderson (Marley) and late legendary reggae Bob Marley. David's father Bob nicknamed him "Ziggy". A ziggy is a big marijuana spliff on Jamaiaca.

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.

jah bless
Ziggy Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yea let me tell you something right now
Don't care them jealousy don't care hypocrisy zero visibility ahead of me
Don't care hypocrisy their lies and jealously zero visibility ahead of me
But I still

Work hard step by step together work hard work hard step by step yea we'll put Together
Jah bless and you muma vex jah bless and you pupa vex Jah bless popes and
Preachers vex Jah bless

Now stumbling blocks move out the way we've got to make it through the day
And all them works that you see go on I and I no mash no corn
Well stumbling block move out the way we've got to make it through the day
And all the works that you see go on I and I no mash no corn
So work hard push and pull together work hard work hard yea we want some good
Work hard

Tell you this yea one day we will be together
Jah bless and you muma vex Jah bless them pupa Jah bless the pope and preacher Vex
Hey stumbling block move out of the way we've got to make it through the day
And all the works that you see go on well I and I no mash no corn
Hey stumbling block move out the way we're gonna make it through the day
And all the works that you see go on yea well natty dread no mash no corn
We work hard work hard work hard till we belly full step by step well pull
Together Jah bless and the preacher vex Jah bless my school, teacher vex Jah

Bless all them people vex
Jah bless

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ziggy Marley's song "Jah Bless" convey a message of resilience and determination in the face of obstacles and negativity. The artist speaks of not being affected by jealousy or hypocrisy, emphasizing that he doesn't care about the lies and jealousy directed towards him. He asserts his focus on moving forward, despite zero visibility ahead. The repetition of "Work hard, step by step, together" demonstrates the importance of perseverance and unity in achieving their goals.

The song talks about overcoming stumbling blocks and making it through the day. The phrase "I and I no mash no corn" suggests that the artist remains undeterred by challenges and refuses to be defeated. The mention of various individuals, such as mothers, fathers, popes, and preachers, being vexed by Jah's blessings implies that even those who oppose or doubt them will eventually come to witness and acknowledge their success.

Overall, the lyrics convey a message of staying true to oneself, working hard, and not allowing negative influences to hinder personal growth and progress. It encourages unity and perseverance in the face of obstacles, emphasizing the power of Jah's blessings.

Line by Line Meaning

Yea let me tell you something right now
Listen up, I have something important to say

Don't care them jealousy don't care hypocrisy zero visibility ahead of me
I don't pay attention to people's jealousy and hypocrisy, I keep focused on my path

Don't care hypocrisy their lies and jealously zero visibility ahead of me
I am unaffected by their lies, jealousy, and hypocrisy, I still have a clear path ahead

But I still
Nevertheless, despite all that

Work hard step by step together work hard work hard step by step yea we'll put Together
We continue to work diligently, one step at a time, united towards our goal

Jah bless and you muma vex jah bless and you pupa vex Jah bless popes and Preachers vex Jah bless
May Jah bless and bring frustration to those who trouble my mother, my father, and even the popes and preachers

Now stumbling blocks move out the way we've got to make it through the day
Obstacles, move aside, we must overcome them to survive each day

And all them works that you see go on I and I no mash no corn
The things we accomplish, that you witness, we achieve without causing harm or destruction

Well stumbling block move out the way we've got to make it through the day
So, stumbling block, get out of our way, we need to overcome challenges every day

And all the works that you see go on I and I no mash no corn
The actions and accomplishments you witness from us, we achieve without causing harm or destruction

So work hard push and pull together work hard work hard yea we want some good
Therefore, let's work diligently, supporting and collaborating with each other, striving for a positive outcome

Tell you this yea one day we will be together
I assure you that one day we will unite

Jah bless and you muma vex Jah bless them pupa Jah bless the pope and preacher Vex
May Jah bless and bring frustration to those who trouble my mother, my father, and even the popes and preachers

Hey stumbling block move out of the way we've got to make it through the day
Hey, obstacles, move aside, we must overcome them to survive each day

And all the works that you see go on well I and I no mash no corn
The actions and accomplishments you witness from us, we achieve without causing harm or destruction

Hey stumbling block move out the way we're gonna make it through the day
Hey, obstacles, move aside, we are determined to overcome them and succeed in our day

And all the works that you see go on yea well natty dread no mash no corn
The actions and accomplishments you witness from a true Rastafarian like me, I achieve without causing harm or destruction

We work hard work hard work hard till we belly full step by step well pull Together
We work tirelessly, persistently until we are satisfied, supporting and helping each other all the way

Jah bless and the preacher vex Jah bless my school, teacher vex Jah Bless all them people vex
May Jah bless and bring frustration to the preachers who trouble me, to my teachers at school, and to all those troublesome people

Jah bless
May Jah bless us all

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN MARLEY, VINCENT FORD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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