5-Minute Time Out: Ziggy Marley
The reggae star and father of five on his "Family Time" record.
by Jennifer V. Hughes
June 10, 2009
Many of the songs on the album have messages — saving the earth,
caring for your brother. What do you think little kids will take from those kind of songs?
I don’t know what they can take from it — I hope they take something. The
songs have different layers to them, it wasn’t that it was important,
it’s just how we did it. As the kids grow they can understand the deeper
meanings of the songs. It will stay with you from birth to old age.
Your dad was such an influential artist, so renowned and beloved.
What is that like for you, as a musician?
Well, I was just always trying to play music and create something. I’m very
adventurous and so the aspect of being my father’s son never really struck me
as any difficulty or a problem or whatever. I just wanted to make music. What
he did was not a deciding factor for me.
What do you think you would have done if you were not a musician?
If I was not a musician, I’d still be a musician. Being a musician is just
what I’m on earth for. I might not be talking to you, I might not be making records
but I’d be making music.
Do you think any of your kids will follow in your musical footsteps?
"I want my kids to be good people first."
I don’t know for sure — it’s possible, but I don’t care at this point. I’m
not thinking about that now. I just want them to get a good education and a good
upbringing and be good human beings. I want them to be good people first.
Since you have five kids — which automatically makes you a parenting
expert in my book —
Oh, yeah? Really?
— what’s the most important piece of advice
you would give to another parent?
I don’t know … it can’t be one thing for every
parent because every child is different. Patience is important,
discipline is important, you have to learn balance. I guess that would be my
general advice, keep it balanced— don’t lean one way or the other way too far.
You know, come to think of it – the lyrics to "Three Little Birds" might just be good parenting
advice ….
(Laughs) Oh yeah, sure.
Ziggy Marley is on tour! Check out his tour dates here.
©2009 Jennifer V. Hughes and Babble
About the Author
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Jennifer V. Hughes is a writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Mothering magazine and the Columbia Law School Report. She also makes a killer sangria. |
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