Photo credit: Roxanne Haynes.
The combination of Ziggy Marley’s impressive musical career and his humanitarian work, have garnered the singer worldwide recognition.
He puts it simply, “This is the way we were brought up. The philosophies of my parents laid down the foundation.” Marley’s songs often address social injustice, politics and freedom.
Outside the studio, Marley is also known for his varied humanitarian work including the founding of Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (U.R.G.E.), which works to help children in Jamaica, Africa, and throughout the world by supporting education, health, and the environment, in efforts to improve the communities where children live and grow.  Ziggy also supports Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit that provides free musical instruments and free lessons to public school children throughout the US.
His motivation is clear, “I care about the planet and the people on the planet.”
In addition to being an artist, author and humanitarian, Ziggy is also an entrepreneur. In 2012, he launched Ziggy Marley Organics, a GMO-free product line available throughout the US.   In a recent interview in Songwriter Universe Magazine, he explained what motivated him to create this product line saying, “Another issue I am passionate about is the fact that genetically modified food needs to be labeled, and that involves another struggle with the truth. Using music as my platform, I will use any opportunity I can to shed light on these important issues. It was my dad’s idea that music is supposed to be more than simply about entertainment and making a living, but about being of service as an integral part of the consciousness of the world. In honor of him and because it’s right, I use music in that light. My family experiences are always living within me. As I continue to explore the way music impacts people both physiologically and psychologically, my own expression as a songwriter and artist continues to grow.”
While aware of its nutritional benefits, the issue of genetically modified food motivated Ziggy to do a PSA for the Just Label It campaign, “The long-term study of GMO foods is going on in real time and in real life. Not in a lab. To affect the food chain of our society is one of the most influential things you can do. And it’s allowed without much scrutiny. I’m worried about that. Food should be natural…We have to take a stance as people.”
Ziggy Marley performs at The Centre on October 9.