The first lady of Reggae and matriarch of the Marley family, Rita Marley, will celebrate her 76th birthday in true iconic fashion this year. To commemorate the auspicious occasion, aptly dubbed “One Rita: Royal and Rootsy,” the Marley family has planned a series of events culminating in a concert fit for the reggae queen.  |
| Marley OJ, OD, LITT, cultural legend and philanthropist turns 76. The birthday activities aim to highlight and support Jamaican communities that are rooted in causes she is passionate about. Her grandson Skip Marley recently shared that “Her philanthropy, determination, work ethic and entrepreneurship is the meaning of community. That’s where I’ve seen the real meaning of love and heart.” True to form, the events scheduled over the month are humanitarian, environmental, wellness driven, and includes the launch of the annual Rita Marley Scholarship. Birthday activities kick off on July 9 with the One Rita Beach Clean-up at 8 Miles, Bull Bay, 8am – 10am. On July 15, Rita Marley Foundation will host The Reggae Closet, a FREE boutique for Kingston’s inner-city communities. A Women’s Health & Wellness Day at Jamnesia on July 13, will see providers of health services be contributed to the community for FREE. This is followed by a Bonfire Reasoning on the beach by women, for women, and about women. Other tributes include a Suite of Songs performance from the NDTC to recognize her cultural influence as Jamaica celebrates its 60th year of Independence. The highlight of the celebrations is a star-studded concert that is streamed live on U.S.-based satellite radio giant SiriusXM, July 13th at 5pm Eastern/4pm Jamaica time on Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio channel 19 and the SiriusXM app. A slew of popular Jamaican entertainers, including Taurus Riley, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Carlene Davis, Richie Spice, Gem Myers, Dean Fraser, Shuga, and Christopher Ellis will join forces to fete ‘Queen Nana’, as she’s affectionately called. The celebration culminates with a live video stream on Rita Marley’s birthday, July 25th, on Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel sharing with fans around the world highlights of the birthday activities as well as the SiriusXM concert. |
Rita Marley
Internationally, the name Marley is synonymous with reggae music and the culture of Jamaica. It is no coincidence that the talented young Rita Anderson was destined to become an integral part of the musical Marley family. Bob Marley is the King of Reggae, and his wife, Dr. Rita Marley, provided him with vocal support as a member of the I-Threes. Rita Marley also forged an extraordinary career as a solo artist with a catalog of hits including One Draw, Harambe, Lion & the Lamb, Good Girls Culture, and Just One More Morning.
As the Matriarch of the Marley Family, Mrs. Rita Marley wears many hats and has been instrumental in the initiation and completion of great works internationally, regionally, and locally. In 1986, she had the vision and wisdom to transform Bob Marley’s house at 56 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica into the Bob Marley Museum. Mrs. Marley’s purchase of the former Federal Records at 220 Marcus Garvey Drive and subsequent relocation of Tuff Gong International to this new address set the stage for Tuff Gong to become a leader in the recording, manufacturing, and distribution of music in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the world. It is in her capacity as Founder and Chairperson of the Robert Marley Foundation; the Bob Marley Museum; the Bob Marley Trust; Tuff Gong International, and the Rita Marley Foundation Mrs. Marley continues to honor her commitment to the works of her husband, her children [including the GRAMMY Award winning Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers], and her people – by fulfilling her mission to enlighten, educate and entertain through her philanthropy and music.
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