A seven-hour ‘earthstrong’ celebration for reggae icon Bob Marley unfolded virtually on Sunday for what would have been his 77th birthday. Titled ‘Roots 77’, the occasion not only commemorated Marley’s musical and philanthropic legacy, but showcased the current and future generation of Marley magic.
Holding the 3,000-strong audience captive was Damian Marley’s son, Elijah, who kick-started the performances with a vocal and drum performance of his grandfather’s Three Little Birds. His musical skills extend to deejaying, shown during his performance of his father’s Mr Marley and uncle Stephen’s Rock Stone. He also put a reggae spin on Blake Shelton’s God Country and gave a soothing performance of John Lennon’s Imagine.
abundant performances
Stephen’s son, Yohan, was next and held his own with a slew of groovy love songs, including Stay With Me. Skip Marley also performed, likewise Rita Marley’s daughter Sharon.
The Marley brothers, Ziggy, Ky-Mani, Damian, Stephen and Julian, shared the stage to sing songs from their dad and The Wailers’ catalogue, including Rastaman Vibration, Jammin, Roots, Running Away and Crazy Baldheads.
Roots 77 comprised several activities filmed over seven days, so the performances were abundant. But first, the celebration was consecrated with the blowing of the abeng and prayers from members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Performers included Etana, who gave a chilling performance of Miriam Makeba’s Swahili song, Malaika, and Queen Ifrica, who denounced predators in her heels-off, spliff-in-hand element. Tony Rebel, Minister Marion Hall, Kes the Band, Bugle, Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Billy Mystic, Amanyea, and others also performed.
Performances from the ‘Tuff Gong Vault’ were also streamed, notably of Marcia Griffiths, Tanya Stephens and Richie Spice.
A highlight of the celebration was the first episode of the Echoes of Sound System clash series, powered by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. Yumi Hi-Power proved no competition for Nexxt Level sound system, as decided by judges Skatta Burrell, Jack Scorpio and Admiral Bailey. The Japanese-formed sound paid homage to women throughout the clash with songs like Marcia Griffiths’ Peaceful Woman and Roy C’s Every Woman Has a Right, but fell flat on delivery and selector-to-emcee coordination, which Nexxt Level aced. The latter impressed with hits across ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall, and also paid homage to Marley.
Roots 77 also saw the announcement of the latest in Marley news, from the ‘Bob Marley One Love Experience’ at the Saatchi Gallery in London (open until April 18), to the Rita Marley exhibition (‘Mystic of a Queen’) now on at the Bob Marley Museum. The ‘Marley Natural’ herb house is also coming to the museum soon.
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