Fresh from headlining performances at Reggae On The Rocks in Colorado, Festival International De Rhythmes Du Monde in Quebec, Rock al Parque in Colombia, plus two special fundraising events at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in New York, GRAMMY-nominated Ky-Mani Marley has unveiled recording news and announced several personal appearances.
Ky-Mani is currently recording songs for his next album Evolution of a Revolution at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. This marks the first time that Ky-Mani has worked at the world-renowned studios founded by his father in 1965. “Recording at Tuff Gong is very meaningful to me because this is where it all started. My father built this studio not only to accommodate his children but also the less fortunate in the community. I felt at this point in my career it’s a necessary move to make and I’m happy I’ve been able to accomplish that. Now the journey continues,” said Ky-Mani. Known for his unique style of rock/soul/hip-hop infused reggae sound that transcends cultural lines, Evolution of a Revolution is expected to continue the musical exploration and features collaborations with artists from different musical genres. “This album will continue to highlight my various influences and will be a blend of genres that will touch the inner-soul of each listener,” Ky-Mani stated.
In another first, Ky-Mani has also joined forces with Andrew Tosh for a very special collaboration. The offspring of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh are recording together on “Lessons In My Life,” the lead single off Andrew’s acoustic tribute album to his father, titled Legacy. The two second-generation singers take turns on lead vocals on the updated interpretation of this timeless anthem. The song is especially prophetic as it was released on the album No Nuclear War only weeks before Peter’s untimely death. Fans should look for more collaboration between the two in the near future.
Ky-Mani is also featured on reggae singer Protoje’s latest single, “Rasta Love.” Produced by Donovan “Don Corleone” Bennett, “Rasta Love” is a powerful, conscious dancehall-meets-lover’s rock combination and will be included on Protoje’s upcoming album The 7 Year Itch.
Staying true to his humanitarian vision, Ky-Mani will lend his talents to the Basia Sports Foundation as they host the first annual Beat Breast Cancer Music Festival in Trinidad and Tobago on October 31. The foundation is a part of an organization that produces Basia and Basia Sports magazines as well as the popular Caribbean talk show, “The Basia Show” hosted by breast cancer survivor, Alicia Powell. The objective of the event is to change the thinking and approach to breast cancer for Caribbean people, and to help create awareness that the disease is beatable and curable. To be televised throughout the English speaking Caribbean, the event will raise funds for women for CT Pet Scans and reconstructive surgeries, because often times women are not diagnosed or treated accurately post detection and treatment.
Finally, Ky-Mani also continues his tour promoting his memoir Dear Dad, released by Farrah Gray Publishing on February 6, 2010, what would have been his father Bob Marley’s 65th birthday.
