Skip Marley steps up big ... living his musical dream

"Exhausting," is how Cedella Marley, the mother of 21-year-old Skip Marley describes watching as he takes the wheels of his musical vehicle. "But it is also enjoyable. When you can live your dream, your life becomes more meaningful."

Skip Marley's innate drive to be a voice to reckon with, is loud and clear in his singles, Lions and Calm Down. His old reggae-soul sound, bears a likeness to his grandfather Bob Marley; combined with his fresh faced outlook on music, Skip Marley has already attracted recording artistes from other genres including Katy Perry which invited him in 2017 to collaborate on the chart-topping track, Chained to the Rhythm.

There are also plans in the pipeline to finally release his debut album later this year.

Cedella Marley told The Gleaner, "It so happens that his dream takes a lot to accomplish, but he is putting in the work and from that we are going to see the results, which I think are going to be great."

NO PRESSURE

Despite his big dreams and aspirations, Skip Marley, says he feels no pressure in living up to the rich legacy left behind by his grandfather Bob. In fact, he says, "it is more of a light that shows our history. I just see where my family can bring the music and its history to instead of looking at it as a shadow while raising the standard. We have to represent how we all know to represent. It is natural - we don't think; we know we have to work, and we have to do it."

However, he needs not worry, as there has been sufficient guidance from his 'musical uncles', who have helped him along his journey, one way or another.

Skip Marley recalls, "I was always a shy person and one of the most memorable moments which probably broke me out of that was on a stage with my uncle Stephen. It was the Revelation Part 1 tour, and one night he decided I was going to sing. Him look at me and say, "yah sing tonight" and I responded, 'okay uncle'."

Then came the introduction on stage from uncle Stephen: 'This is Skip and he has something to say'. "Soon as I got the microphone, everything was cool. The words, 'One Love One Heart, let's get together and feel alright', came out my mouth. Now all I have to do before going on stage is say a little prayer and drink a cup of spearmint tea or any tea, once it has honey and chill out."