(Jamaica Observer) – Reggae singers Julian Marley and Buju Banton are at odds over whether the world’s fixation on Bob Marley is hurting the growth of reggae music.
“It can’t hurt. We as reggae musican/singers should give thanks to that, because really and truly he was at a certain ceiling and right now we would still be under,” Julian, the son of Bob, told Splash on Wednesday at the launch of his new album ‘Awake’.
“At the end of the day it is conscious music and not this whole heap of murderation. For me, he is a guidance for the music.”
The 14-track album is produced by Stephen Marley and Julian Marley via Ghetto Youth International/Universal Republic. It is Marley’s third album after his debut Lion in the Morning in 1996 and Time and Place in 2003.
Banton, at his CD launch two weeks ago, stated that Bob Marley was not the greatest Jamaican musician and that this fixation on the reggae icon has hurt the growth of the music. Banton respects Marley’s music but argued that calling him the greatest logically implies that no better can follow.
“God is the greatest,” responded Julian Marley when asked if his father was the best.
Banton also stated that the Marley legacy has made it difficult for the sons to form their own musical identity. Responded Julian Marley: “Him take it to a levels, where it is great for every man right now.”
Banton’s comments caused a split amongst music industry players and Banton eventually clarified his comments arguing that he was taken out of context.
Currently Bob Marley’s album Legend continues to top iTunes reggae charts in 18 of the 22 listed countries, even as Mavado, Banton and Jah Cure released new albums. Downloaders are buying Marley’s 1984 album above any other reggae album on iTunes, arguably the Internet’s most popular online music store and will add to the album’s sales which have surpassed 20 million. Comparatively, the average reggae album sells some 5,000 units worldwide.
