Ziggy Marley

David Nesta Marley was born October 17, 1968, in Kingston, Jamaica, the eldest child of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He grew up around Tuff Gong studio and the Wailers' rehearsals. After Bob Marley's death in 1981, Ziggy, still a teenager, effectively became the public face of the Marley musical name.

Ziggy's rise came through Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, the family band he formed with siblings Stephen, Sharon, and Cedella. The group broke through internationally with 1988's Conscious Party, winning the Grammy for Best Reggae Album — making the group the youngest act ever to win in that category.

Ziggy launched a solo career with Dragonfly (2003), followed by several more Grammy-winning albums including Love Is My Religion and Fly Rasta, amassing roughly eight Grammy wins across his group and solo career. He founded the U.R.G.E. Foundation in 2007 and served as executive producer/creative consultant on Bob Marley: One Love.

In October 2023, Ziggy drew significant criticism after signing an open letter expressing support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks, while also posting messages calling to "Free Gaza from Hamas"; the episode remains his most documented public controversy. Despite this, his broader legacy rests on proving that a Marley child could sustain an independent, critically respected career spanning roots reggae, children's music, and activism. He remains highly active as of 2026, touring as part of the Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour.