Filed under: Interviews
In his memoir, 'Dear Dad,' an imprint of Farrah Gray Publishing, Marley candidly writes about growing up as the son of a music legend, his trials and tribulations, and leaving his own legacy. BlackVoices.com spoke with Marley recently about the book, his music and his family. Excerpts of the conversation are below.
BlackVoices.com: Your upbringing was drastically different from your siblings. You grew up poor but very rich in the sense that you grew up around a lot of love. How do you respond to those who say you're airing dirty laundry with this memoir?
Ky-Mani Marley: I stated exactly what my upbringing was, and at no time did I fault any of my siblings for that. They have no control of that. I've always stated that even through our differences, I know I have a family that, at the drop of a dime, is there if I need them. It wasn't about airing out dirty laundry. In writing the book, it was a way for me to explain the individual that I am and my trials and tribulations. This book wasn't vindictive or about pointing the finger. It's just me telling my story.
BV: You were raised in Falmouth, Jamaica, until about the age of 7, and then you went to Miami's Liberty City. Did the idea of the American dream seize you before you came here, and how did your reality measure up with your assumptions?
KM: I come from the countryside of Jamaica. I came from an atmosphere of being able to walk anywhere with no fear at all, because I knew that in each house that I passed there was an individual in that home looking out for me. I had a free and open lifestyle in Jamaica. The few times that we were able to look on the TV station, we would see what America looked like. We saw all the big pretty houses, the nice paved streets and all the wonderful things that you wanted but didn't see in Jamaica. ![]()
I remember coming and realizing this was not what I expected. I woke up one morning, and the freedom I was so used to was now gone. My first day in my new home a shootout took place right through the back of my yard. It was definitely not what I was looking forward to. But we're from a family that you have to survive. You're either prey or predator.
I remember coming and realizing this was not what I expected. I woke up one morning, and the freedom I was so used to was now gone. My first day in my new home a shootout took place right through the back of my yard. It was definitely not what I was looking forward to. But we're from a family that you have to survive. You're either prey or predator.
BV: You seem to embody your father's "one love" philosophy. Despite all the hardships and disappointments throughout your life, you're unfaltering in your passion to help the next person.
KM: My heart beats to that rhythm right there. It's hard for me to understand why everybody doesn't share the same philosophy. My legacy, where I'm coming from and what my father spoke of definitely impacted me. But outside of that, this is who I am. This is what drives me and what I enjoy. I enjoy being able to help someone. I don't enjoy bringing people my burdens. Throughout all the issues that I've faced, I've never once spoken to an individual and told them what was in my heart and what I was feeling. Maybe I should have. Instead, I wrote it all in a book. And a lot of the people that I wanted to express these feelings to got it. The only thing is that the rest of the world got it, too (laughs).
KM: My heart beats to that rhythm right there. It's hard for me to understand why everybody doesn't share the same philosophy. My legacy, where I'm coming from and what my father spoke of definitely impacted me. But outside of that, this is who I am. This is what drives me and what I enjoy. I enjoy being able to help someone. I don't enjoy bringing people my burdens. Throughout all the issues that I've faced, I've never once spoken to an individual and told them what was in my heart and what I was feeling. Maybe I should have. Instead, I wrote it all in a book. And a lot of the people that I wanted to express these feelings to got it. The only thing is that the rest of the world got it, too (laughs).
BV: For those who may not know, early on in your music career you opened up for the rock band Van Halen. Many scratched their heads and wondered how that would work, because your music seemed to not appeal to a Van Halen audience. Obviously, they were wrong because you ended up getting a standing ovation your first night out. Was that a confidence booster for you musically?
KM: It was another mark that let me know I was on the right path. I went on tour for five months and basically performed recordings that I had. I had some lyrics and some melodies, and I decided I would take those songs and go on the road with them. No one had heard that particular music before. Playing those songs for the first time, along with some of my father's music, and getting the reaction that I got after each and every song was definitely a confidence booster.
BV: What's your relationship like with your own kids?
KM: My children and I have a very close relationship. We have a father-son-daughter relationship, but we're also very close friends. My kids come to me and talk to me about everything. They definitely keep me grounded. We all go through times where we feel like giving up. And you feel the weight of the world on you shoulders. To be able to see my children's faces eases that pressure. I'm grounded and remember that this is not all about me. I still have other people depending on me. I have to make sure at all times that they see their father as a fighter and not as a quitter.
BV: Any New Year's Resolutions?
KM: To be a better man than I was last year.
KM: To be a better man than I was last year.