Stephen Robert Nesta "Raggamuffin" Marley performs at the Smile Jamaica Africa Unite 2008 Concert event in Oracabessa Jamaica on February 23, 2008 at James Bond Beach. Stephen Marley is an original member of the Melody Makers along with brother Ziggy and sister Cedella and tonights show was a reunion of sorts with all the original members on stage again for the first time in a decade or more.
Stephens performance at Smile Jamaica comes in a year where he took a grammy for top reggae album with his latest release "Mind Control" which has been at the top of the charts for most of 2008 and find Stephen at the top of his game in all respects. The show was awesome and Stephens tight production skills could be seen early in the day when he, Julian and Damian came on stage for the sound check. Stephen was in complete control and a perfectionist about his equipment setup and sound.
It was incredible to catch a glimpse inside the life of the Marley offspring and Stephen is certainly a proud and protective father. The entire Marley entourage took up three Coaster buses and there were a dozen kids all arriving hours before the two day festival started. Stephen had his kids on stage with him during the sound check and then again for the show that evening. Some of the Marley children were waving flags and singing along with the family performances throughout the evening. Stephen seems very protective of his private life and children and insisted no photos of him or his kids be taken after he discovered me on stage with them during the sound check where I was hanging out with my new friends on the stage crew and not supposed to be. I got a few photos of Stephen and sons before their manager told me to put the camera away.
Stephen was obviously upset by the camera and I was taken aside by him and Damian after the sound check where they told me exactly how they felt about people taking things from them without proper permission to do so. I was scolded for not having a press pass and told I could keep the photos I had but I was not to take any more until show time. It seems they want to protect the kids and themselves from having a photo taken of them off guard and having to be "camera ready" at all times. I overstand the situation after my reprimand and the following explanation I received from their stage manager who refered to Stephen as "King".
Stephen performed with Ziggy and Cedella for some Melody Makers hits and then moved into some collaborations with his brother Damian before tackling a few of his fathers songs at the end of the evening for what turned out to be a great set.
Stephen Marley at Smile Jamaica Photo Gallery
