Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Barbados-born Lucy Pounder, is a naturally talented musician, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. As you would expect, this tall, slender Marley is a devout Rastafarian whose music is inspired by life and spirituality. His positive messages are delivered throughout Awake, a thought-provoking album compiled on the Ghetto Youths International label. Recorded at the Lion’s Den in Miami, Florida, and Tuff Gong in Kingston, Jamaica, the music and message presented throughout Awake is inspired by all the family who have come before. Julian explains, “There is spiritual energy from the ancestors in this album.”

Julian “JuJu” Ricardo Marley was born June 4, 1975, in London, England. He demonstrated an uncanny musical ability at an early age, from strumming a toy guitar as an infant to recording his first demo tape at age five inside his father’s Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. A self-taught, gifted musician, Julian is proficient on bass, drums, keyboards, and guitar. With the 1989 release of the righteous-themed “Uprising,” his first self-penned single, the positive musical path was laid out for this young Marley. Julian moved to Kingston in 1992 to work with family, and friends he had met throughout his years going to his father’s 56 Hope Road residence. Subsequently he formed The Uprising, a roots-reggae band comprised of young players and veteran musicians.

The decade of the ‘90s proved to be particularly productive for the young artiste. The release of his 1996 debut album, Lion in the Morning, launched a successful international tour with The Uprising. In addition, there were performances with the Ghetto Youths Crew, a musical collective that includes brothers Stephen and Damian Marley; an opening act slot with the 1995 Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers world tour; a Marley Magic family performance during New York City’s Central Park Summer Stage series; and a featured artist position on the 1997 rock-oriented Lollapalooza tour. Julian toured extensively with Damian in 1998, and worked together with Stephen and Damian on the 1999 production of the platinum-selling Chant Down Babylon, a remix album by various hip-hop and rock artists covering Bob Marley & The Wailers songs.

A new decade brought new projects. Julian joined siblings Stephen, Cedella, Damian, and Ky-Mani to contribute an inspired version of “Master Blaster” for Stevie Wonder’s 2003-tribute album, Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder Songs. That same year Julian released his second CD, Time and Place, a family-produced album that also featured brothers Ziggy and Rohan Marley.

Julian Marley and The Uprising toured the world in support of Time and Place. The Roots Rock Reggae Fest in 2004 united all the Marley brothers for their first USA tour. The Marley family Africa Unite concerts in Ethiopia in 2005 and Ghana in 2006 were of significant importance to the young Ras. The third Africa Unite concert held in Jamaica in February 2008 brought the brothers together again, and Julian’s 2008 performance in Guinea, Africa, brought his conscious, uplifting roots-reggae music to a new and appreciative audience. At the invitation of the Jamaican government, Julian Marley and The Uprising performed during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and celebrated alongside Jamaica’s Gold medal-winning runner, Usain Bolt.

The April 2009 release of Awake comes on the heels of an emotionally charged year. His beloved grandmother, Cedella Marley Booker, who went home to Zion in 2008, inspires the young songwriter. Awake is a call for everyone – youths and elders – to awaken to life’s joy and rewards and to live positive. The roots-reggae sound that Julian Marley has distinctly made his own is supported by the street-energy infusion of hip-hop, bubbling dancehall, and a smooth combination of R&B and reggae.

The first single from Awake is “Boom Draw,” an easy roots-dancehall tune that will surely have fans moving to its rock solid rhythm. More great tracks on Awake include “Little to Late” with Stephen Marley on guest vocals, “Violence in the Street” with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and “Oh Girl” featuring American rapper Mr. Cheeks.

Members of The Uprising include Owen “Dready” Reid on bass, Craig Taylor on drums, Noel “Food Man” Davey and Conrad Scarlett on keyboards, American-born Luke Andrews on lead guitar, Aston Barrett, Jr. (original Wailer Familyman Barrett’s son) on bass, and Harry T on percussion. Special performances on the album include veterans Sticky Thompson and Kendale Johnson on percussion, Dean Fraser on sax, and family member Jimmy Brown Malcolm on keyboards. Background vocals are provided by Marcia Griffiths (an original member of the I Three) and Tamika Moncriefe.

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