Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Stephen Marley (left) and Julian Marley perform at the Studio One 50th anniversary show and party, held at Old Coal Wharf, Port Royal, on November 27, 2004.

"This isragamuffin from di ghetto youths camp, anywhere mi go mi seh mi must lef mi stamp."

Stephen Marley, 'Traffic Jam'

Releasing the bounds of music, the second son steps into the spotlight as Stephen Marley, gifted with a melodic voice, an ear for music and a skill for writing and producing, takes control.

The Sunday Gleaner caught up with an enigmatic Stephen Marley while he was deep in thought at the Bob Marley Museum. A member of the Melody Makers since the age of seven, Stephen Marley has already created his own legacy in the music industry. A Grammy- winning producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he has been the driving creative force behind the music of his brothers.

However, he has never been at the front of the famous clan, preferring until recently to support the career of his various family members and to carry on the work of his father through various tributes. On March 20, Marley releases his first and highly anticipated solo album, Mind Control. A page taken from his own heart, Mind Control promises to be a blend of the artiste's thoughts and love of musical genres.

The album takes its title from the poignant single, Mind Control, which speaks to the message his father preached years earlier with "emancipate yourself from mental slavery" in Redemption Song. It is a message that he likes to put forward, wishing to free the people from the various mind controls of society.

"Free di people wid music, to spread awareness, spread love, enlightenment, educate a lot of persons. It's a symbolic reason why mi name it Mind Control, cause really the album is not a political album, but in di body of work. Still, that was the most important message and me like fi put that forward, up front. For people to emancipate yourself be aware that it exists," he said.

solid body of work

According to Stephen, Mind Control promises a solid body of work which is mainly written by himself about his experiences. "This is my joy and my pain, this is me. It's a page from my book. Every page tells a story, but at the same time is a continuation of the page before it or the page to come. This is just one page. Mi kinda is that type of a person where yuh know yuh nah get fi know mi too much, mi know how much of myself to give. I'm giving yuh my heart ... the topics and whatever, that's me still," he said.

It has taken a while for this Marley to give his heart to the people, having been the shepherd of his family, guiding their careers. Now it's his time. "There are so many of us and mi haffi tek care of the flock. There is no specific reason; at the same time a just now. Ziggy have his solo album, all of we as brothers have an album," he explains.

Mind Control was to have been released in 2006. However, it was delayed more than once.

Stephen explains that "di album was suppose to come out. In the middle of dat Damian album wasn't ready to come yet, but the single, Welcome to Jamrock, was a pick-up hit, so mi haffi stop my thing fi yuh know ... so mi nuh lose the momentum from di record. That was one of di ting dem and mi kinda go in the studio, retouch up certain tings, get some new vibes. It's definitely coming out March."

A fan of music, Marley explains that the record will be a bit of Niabinghi, dancehall, such as its first single, Traffic Jam, which features Damian Marley, a little hip hop, a Spanish vibe and roots reggae. While the world waits to see Stephen on his own, a very nonchalant Marley says he feels no pressure; he just does his thing in the studio, producing and singing, which are both favourites. "Producing is an art. We create music, that comes natural and not like me get up and go to work. We love to create, we love to perform di music to people, yuh know, feel the love. I want di whole awareness of what I'm saying on di record, to get out. If one song can do it ... then you accomplish something wid the record," Stephen said.

Undoubtedly he has accomplished a lot, as Stephen's production, performance and writing credits have earned him a total of five Grammys - more than any other Marley family member or reggae artiste. While most persons may say that the Marley has an edge because of their famous,, last name, according to Stephen most persons are unaware of the work, effort and years that he has put into his music and his family's.

"I've been an artiste for 27 years. Most Jamaica people don't know dat, that it's so many years, like some of dem people who run on stage di other night, most of dem people tink we just come - dem don't understand di professionalism of the art of being an artiste, being a musician. A mean di Grammy ... yuh done know we neva mek music for no award, for no figurine still, but at the same time we appreciate it 'cause its coming from our peers, from di music industry. It feels great to have a tap on your shoulder," Stephen said.

He still hopes to be at the top of his game. He wish that others in the industry will be doing their best to be at the top as well. As for local music, "mi love some tings that are happening, yuh have a whole heap of new yute which a rise up. At the same time is whole heap of hustling and music is an art. You can't hustle art; you tek away di worth. You have to maintain di value of music; music suppose to have substance. Dem obviously don't understand dat; dem don't come for dat. Dem come for di buck, dem nuh understand that di buck come wid it, just make sure di music worth di buck. Righteousness always prevail, like yuh have yute like I and I which tek the right path wid di music, yute like Buju, Sizzla, Spragga. When yuh mek a conscious effort, yuh lyrics haffi mean something. Dem influences can mek a kinda impact."

Stephen is now off to England, where his track, Traffic Jam, has been doing well, after which he will be in Miami for the annual tribute to his father. When his album is released in March he and his brother Damian will be going on tour. "I don't want to be just another artiste. I want to make a statement and to continue this legacy, this musical legacy, wid my family. Just like my brothers ... I aspire to be a reckoning force. When yuh hear my name, yuh know quality comes with dat. Good music, good message, good vibe," he said.