Soul-Rebel Marley is building on a legacy of ingenuity. His inclination towards music is the product of having a firm grasp on the foundational aural principles of reggae, while looking towards other sonic landscapes to, not only enhance his output, but to create a defined and unique sound.
It goes without saying that he was raised by and into greatness: the son of Cedella Marley, the grandson to Rita and Bob Marley and the brother of Skip Marley, Soul-Rebel has always been surrounded by a textured sonic landscape. Recalling early memories, his experiences bearing witness to touring with his family’s group, The Melody Makers, was integral to his uptake. Formed with his mother, aunt Sharon and uncles Ziggy and Stephen, he got to see the action in all its glory; his mom, aunt and uncles preparing to perform and fine-tuning their harmonies to perfection was the catalyst for creating timeless music for their fans and a budding source of inspiration for him.
The soundscapes of his youth were filled with the music of his family. He was drawn to instruments, teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano, but as he started to form own taste, became inspired by the discographies of early Drake and Lil Wayne, as well as Kanye West’s production. As he began to explore the artform more, he taught himself how to crystallize his ruminations into something tangible. From his practice emerged production on Jo Mersa Marley’s Eternal and Sharon Marley’s “Just One More Morning.”
But now the fire continues to burn in a new direction: while in the studio with his brother, the opening line of a song—”Hail up the King of Kings/We forever loving Jah”—came to him. He quickly documented it via voice note. Though he hadn’t formally recorded anything prior, he revisited the lyric, made an acapella version and produced around it. “Loving Jah” emerges as Soul-Rebel’s debut, taking inspiration from his grandfather’s “Forever Loving Jah.” An energizing single that crescendos at its bridge, is punctuated with an incisive snare and is accented by an ethereal set of vocal layering courtesy of his mother, the motivational and empowering “Loving Jah” elevates the sound of traditional reggae.
As he continues to nurture and expand his musical aptitude, Soul-Rebel Marley builds on a familiar legacy, but inflects it in a key of freshness that enables it to stand on its own.