Stephen Marley

Stephen Robert Nesta Marley, born April 20, 1972, in Wilmington, Delaware, is the second eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Rita Marley, and has emerged as one of the most influential figures in contemporary reggae, both as an artist and producer. Raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Stephen was immersed in music from an early age, performing with his siblings Ziggy, Sharon, Cedella, and Damian in Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers starting at age seven, contributing to landmark albums such as Conscious Party (1988), One Bright Day (1989), Jahmekya (1991), Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want 2 B (1995), and Fallen Is Babylon (1997), which earned three Grammy Awards and helped establish the Marley family as a global musical force. As a solo artist, Stephen has released critically acclaimed albums blending traditional reggae with modern influences, including Mind Control (2007), Revelation Part I: The Root of Life (2011), Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life (2016), and Old Soul (2023), all topping the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and earning multiple Grammy wins. Beyond his solo work, he has produced iconic albums for Damian Marley, such as Halfway Tree (2001) and Welcome to Jamrock (2005), while collaborating with Lauryn Hill, The Fugees, Erykah Badu, and Inner Circle. Stephen has toured extensively, both with the Melody Makers and as a solo act, including the Marley Brothers’ Legacy Tour (2024), connecting new generations to Bob Marley’s music while showcasing his own. His combination of musicianship, songwriting, and production has cemented him as a leading voice in reggae, balancing reverence for the genre’s roots with innovation, ensuring the Marley legacy endures globally.