on Ziggy Marley

 

     I just got done watching Guitar Center's show Sessions featuring Ziggy Marley. What an amazing person he is! Having grown up with a lot of Bob Marley music in my house, I actually like reggae. I don't necessarily go out and purchase it, but when I hear it, it stirs something in me that makes me want to dance, to be free. The thing that was always a little more difficult was how Bob Marley always had a message about the physical condition of things, politically, economically, socially, etc. I think he was a strong man who used the power of music to try to change people, to bring awareness to situations the world, at the time, would rather have turned away from and pretended ignorance. He was fighting for people, the poor, freedom, and independence. Although he had a philosophy of how love and peace could change the world, I believe his son, Ziggy Marley has a way better take on it.
     Ziggy is a calm, loving, peaceful, deep-thinking person who lives his life on a different level. He spent most of the interview carefully thinking over each answer to the questions. He tries to keep everything on an even keel. What I like most is how he views what's important and how to change people. He said that unlike his father, his music, his lyrics, have very little to do with the physical condition of culture. It's more about what he calls "the spiritual".  Now I know just because someone says they're spiritual that doesn't mean anything without defining that meaning further. It can mean anything from deeply devoted to the Creator, to being one who chases horoscopes and tarot readings. What Ziggy said when asked one day what religion he was, he answered, "Love. Love is my religion." It isn't divisive, it isn't about rules, it's about making everything you do and say about loving others - even your enemies - because THAT could really change the world, he said.
     When asked about commercial success, he took a long time to answer. He revealed he doesn't really follow what culture is doing. Music today has no real meaning or message to make the world a better place. It's selfish, about drugs, sex, money, and fame - none of the things Ziggy cherishes or chases after. He again restated who he is, on the inside, is reflected NATURALLY in the music and lyrics he writes. It's not planned. It doesn't change to follow what's popular. It's the natural extension of how he wants to bring people together, love people, and make the world a better place.
     It's hard to talk about reggae musicians with many people without the topic of marijuana use coming up. On a side note, unlike in his father's day where it was thought to heighten your "religious experience", Ziggy's stand is like many today. He stands for it being utilized properly for medicinal purposes, without abuses, and makes the point that alcohol, drugs, and even prescription chemicals all have worse, non-natural side effects, destroy families, and have been a lot more abused, leading to all kinds of violent crimes. His stance is a more responsible one than many would think.
     What if we all took on a little of Ziggy's perspective? What if we really did stop looking at the physical problems around us like politics, economics, and wars, just for a little while, and focused on reaching out to love others. Not love like you hear in the music industry today where there's abuses, violence, meaningless sex, lack of any type of responsibility and commitment. Real love. Helping others who are in need. Opening our hearts, minds, homes, and wallets to those who are in real need and trying to survive (not lazy ones looking for freebie handouts). What if we were part of the solution to help get kids off the streets? The homeless into safe places? Feeding the hungry? Helping those willing to work get the opportunity to learn the skills they need? Or the ragged, the clothes needed for an interview? Although I personally would call myself an imperfect follower of Christ, what if we all thought about making love our "religion" (or perspective, in my case), the organized set of rules we play by. After all, isn't that how we're supposed to treat each other in the first place?