Ky-Mani Marley
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Ky-Mani Marley | |
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 Ky-Mani Marley in Vieilles Charrues Festival, 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 26 February 1976 Falmouth, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, piano, trumpet, bongos |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Shang Records, Gee Street/V2 Records |
Ky-Mani Marley (born 26 February 1976)[1] is a Jamaican reggae and hip-hop artist. His name is of East African origin, and means "Adventurous Traveler". He is the only child of Bob Marley with Anita Belnavis, a Jamaican table tennis champion.
Early life and family
Ky-Mani Marley was born in Falmouth, Jamaica, to Anita Belnavis, a Jamaican table tennis champion; and reggae superstar Bob Marley. At the age of nine, Ky-Mani and Belnavis relocated to the ghetto of Miami, Florida. In his early youth, Ky-Mani was unaware of his musical abilities, sports being his first love. With his mother's direction, he received piano and guitar lessons and played trumpet in his high school band. As an athlete, he competed in soccer[2] and American football.
Career
While a teenager, Ky-Mani started rapping and deejaying. His first single was "Unnecessary Badness". He became inspired as a singer after being asked to sing a hook to a song during a recording session at a studio in Miami. Ky-Mani soon began experimenting with laying tracks, at times with his brothers, Stephen, Julian and Damian.
Ky-Mani signed to Shang Records where he recorded his debut album in 1996, Like Father Like Son, and several singles: "Judge Not" with Patra, followed by "Dear Dad" (which topped the British reggae charts),[1] "Who The Cap Fit (remix)", and "Sensimelia", all of which added to his growing reputation in the new generation of reggae musicians. In 1997, Ky-Mani joined forces with Praswell (Fugees) on "Avenue", a hit cover version of Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue". Marley appeared at Midem (international music showcase) when it was held in Miami for the first time. In the Cameo Theatre, Marley performed a set which was aired live by the Caribbean News Agency to 36 countries.
Marley became the subject of a bidding war. He signed with Gee Street/V2 Records in 1997 where he completed a collaboration with label mate P.M. Dawn on the single "Gotta Be Movin' On Up".
Marley's next recording was the 2000 release, The Journey. In 2001, he released his third studio album Many More Roads and went on tour. In 2004 he released his fourth studio album, Milestone. In 2007, he released Radio. In 2015, he released another album, Maestro.
Marley's acting work included lead roles in the Jamaican films Shottas and One Love.
Married to Janie E.K. Green
Discography
- Like Father Like Son (1996)
- The Journey (2000)
- Many More Roads (2001)
- Milestone (2004)
- Radio (2007)
- "New Heights" [Single] (2012)
- Maestro (2015)
- Conversations (2016) with Gentleman
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Gotta be...movin' on up"
(featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
P.M. Dawn | "Gotta be...movin' on up" (single) |
| 1997 | "Thank You Lord" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Shaggy | Midnite Lover |
| 2000 | "Equality" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Afu-Ra | Body of the Life Force |
| 2007 | "Puff Puff Pass" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Young Buck | Buck the World |
| 2008 | "Natural Mystic" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Alborosie | Soul Pirate |
| 2011 | "Rasta Love" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Protoje | 7 Year Itch |
| 2012 | "Your Love" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
The Dirty Heads | Cabin by the Sea |
| 2013 | "Zion Train" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Alborosie | Sound The System |
| 2014 | "Smoke" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Young Buck | Back to the Street 2 |
| "Live Another Day" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Quique Neira | Un amor | |
| 2015 | "Bajito" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Jencarlos Canela | Non-album single |
| "Bajito (Remix)" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley & Tito El Bambino) |
Jencarlos Canela | Non-album single | |
| "Chillax" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
Farruko | Visionary | |
| 2019 | "Royalty" (featuring Ky-Mani Marley) |
XXXTentacion | "Bad Vibes Forever" |
| "Yayo" (feat. Pitbull and Ky-Mani Marley) |
Papayo | TBA | |
| "Celebration" (feat. Ky-Mani Marley) |
Maffio, Farruko and Akon | TBA |
Filmography
- Shottas (2002)
- One Love (2003)
- Haven (2004)
- Eenie Meenie Miney Moe (2013)
- King of the Dancehall (2016)
References
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Ky-Mani Marley Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ DelGallo, Alicia (13 November 2018). "Ky-Mani Marley to perform at Orlando City Stadium for Florida Cup 2019". ProSoccerUSA.com. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
