Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning icon Ziggy Marley released a powerful musical short film for his newest song “Racism Is A Killa,” off his recently announced upcoming album Brightside (via Tuff Gong Worldwide). A timely call to action, “Racism Is A Killa” likens the injustice of inequality to a deadly disease in need of eradication. Responding with hope and resiliency, Marley offers the antidote of love in his lyrical messaging. “Racism we gon beat ya/Racism we’ll defeat ya,” he affirms. Watch the video for “Racism Is A Killa” HERE.
Leaning into the metaphor of racism as a true medical affliction, the “Racism Is A Killa” video is a playful poke (with serious intentions) at how infectious discrimination can be. The video sees Marley himself try on the role of doctor for size – complete with white coat and a CPR demonstration. Serving as a tongue-in-cheek informational PSA, the video makes a clear statement against the very-real spread of racism as an epidemic.
Last month, Marley announced his upcoming summer tour across North America. Kicking off on June 19th at Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, AZ, the 20-date tour will make stops in major markets all around the country before concluding on July 22nd in Nantucket, MA. J Boog is set to appear as Special Guest on select dates throughout the tour. More ticketing information is available HERE.
Earlier this month Marley released a brand-new track, “Many Mourn For Bob,” a powerful tribute to the legacy of his father, the legendary Bob Marley. The new song came alongside the announcement of Ziggy’s upcoming new studio album Brightside. Brightside will be released exclusively on vinyl on April 18th at independent record stores as part of the celebration of Record Store Day, and digitally wide on May 1st. “Many Mourn For Bob” also arrived with a moving music video, featuring images from Ziggy’s childhood with his father. Listen to the song and watch the video HERE.
Marley crafted Brightside, his 9th solo studio album, via a creative process entirely different than anything he’s done to date, from both a songwriting and technical standpoint. The album’s eight songs were co-produced by Ziggy and his brother Stephen and recorded at his newly built Rebel Lion Studio in Los Angeles alongside a myriad of longtime collaborators, including vocalist Nikka Costa, Trombone Shorty, Sheila E. and Jake Shimaburkuro. Most uniquely, the project was recorded using 432Hz, a soothing sonic frequency regularly employed for meditation and other mindful practices. With songs that delve into wellness and mental health, Marley shares “You see what’s happening in the world, what’s happening to people, and it really brings me down sometimes. I realized the album was going to have an introspective side to it. [The music] became my therapy.” Brightside not only embodies messages of resilience and strength but was also intentionally crafted to include healing elements that drive a therapeutic listening experience.
BRIGHTSIDE TRACKLIST:
- JAH We Give Glory
- Racism Is A Killa
- Hey People Now
- Why Let The World
- Many Mourn For Bob
- Sweet Divine
- Make It Paradise
- Brightside
ZIGGY MARLEY UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
April 11 Honolulu, HI Republik
(All show proceeds to benefit The Waikiki Community Center)
April 18 Los Angeles, CA Licorice Pizza
(Brightside Release In-Store Performance)
May 1 New Orleans, LA Jazz Fest
June 19 Tucson, AZ Fox Tucson Theatre
June 20 San Diego, CA Open Air Theatre#
June 21 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl^
June 23 Salt Lake City, UT Venue TBA
June 24 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Kaya Fest
June 25 Aspen, CO Belly Up
June 27 Jackson Hole, WY Snow King Summit Stage
June 28 Bonner, MT KettleHouse Amphitheater*
July 1 Seattle, WA Venue TBA*
July 5 Enoch, BC Venue at The River Cree
July 8 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore*
July 9 Waukee, IA Vibrant Music Hall
July 10 Grand Rapids, MN Venue TBA
July 11 Lewiston, NY Artpark*
July 14 Lenox, MA Koussevitzsky Music Shed at Tanglewood~
July 15 Sidney, ME Bowl In The Pines*
July 20 Martha’s Vineyard The Tabernacle
July 21 Nantucket, MA Chicken Box
July 22 Nantucket, MA Chicken Box
September 17 Highland Park, IL Ravinia Festival$
^ w/ Burning Spear & Zuri Marley (DJ Set)
* w/ Special Guest J Boog
~ w/ Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave
# w/ Burning Spear
$ co-headline with Thievery Corporation
ABOUT ZIGGY MARLEY
Ziggy Marley is a nine-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years. The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft. Equal parts master storyteller and motivational guide, he deftly explores issues from environmental awareness to self-empowerment, social injustice to political inequity, while returning again and again to the transformative power of love. And over the past 20 years with his own companies, Tuff Gong Worldwide and Ishti Music, Marley has complete control of his masters and publishing; alongside his charity URGE – benefiting the well-being of children in Jamaica, Africa and North America. For more, visit ziggymarley.com and all socials at @ziggymarley.
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