- published: 12 Jan 2007
- views: 12225653
David "Ziggy" Marley (born 17 October 1968, Trenchtown, Jamaica) is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley. His father gave him the nickname "Ziggy"; he has stated that it means "a small joint".
In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon made their recording debut with their father, "Children Playing in the Streets". The Melody Makers, as the group came to be known, played occasionally for several years, including at their father's funeral in 1981. Their debut LP was Play the Game Right, which was a very pop-oriented album, earning Ziggy some derision from critics. The band's label, EMI, wanted to market Ziggy as a solo act, and so the Melody Makers moved to Virgin Records, where they recorded Conscious Party (1988, produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). The album was critically and popularly successful, as was One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya (1991).
As the 1990s continued, the Melody Makers' sales slowly declined, beginning with Joy and Blues (1993) and continuing with Free Like We Want 2 B (1995).
With the world so loud, who's gonna hear, when I cry
in this fog of war for black gold, one diamond sold,
one life got stole
society built on slavery, for me it was not so long ago
you may forget, but I still know
Still the storms come, from the coast of West Africa (
repeat )
anger and rage, thunder and lightning, spirits unrest
hey they looking for justice
still the storms come, from the coast of West Africa (
repeat )
flood of tears rise, for stories untold, a debt to be
paid, hey don't you know
There heroes, are my enemies for one man's profit is
another man's loss
and I see their faces in stone and steel with eyes so
proud, oh I wish they could feel
for I am come, with the chain and ball to shatter your
images, and break down these walls
so this day may be bright free from the shadows of
giants in the light
I'm out of my mind
( Chorus )
Eternity is not enough for me to forget, and my
children's children, you will regret
for I warn you of a time when empires fall, and the
lowly will be lifted hey rule them all
but vengeance is no glory, hate is no pay, truth is my
call and peace is my way
so I will endure, through these hard times, while I am
neglected and paid no mind
( Chorus )