*Exclusive* Stephen Marley Interview With Nerdlike

Nerdlike caught up with Stephen Marley for a few minutes and asked him a few questions about his album, Mind Control Acoustic. We also chatted about a few other things, like the influence of his father in his life and the things he and Snoop have in common:

Nerdlike: So we hear you have an all-acoustic album coming out. What inspired an all acoustic album?
Stephen Marley: The acoustic vibe, is a different vibe. It is more like when you are writing the song versus when you go into the studio with all the musicians and other people. It is a different vibe. The acoustic vibe is closer to the spirit of the original song.

N: On the original Mind Control, you have Snoop Dogg on the remix. Did you bring any rappers back for the acoustic album?
SM: I have Spragga Benz, Damien (Marley) and Julian (Marley). They are the only ones on the acoustic album.

N: Reggae and hip-hop have really come together lately. How do you feel about the combination of reggae and hip-hop vs traditional reggae?
SM: Well that is the club and dance part of reggae; the dance hall. Which you know the story (history) of reggae, and dance hall, and hip-hop. That just represents that side of the music. But the root of the music is still there.

N:  Nerdlike is very into technology, what tools do you use in the studio?
SM: The tools..honestly anything that interest us. Logic, Pro Tools, Reason, we use them all.

N: Now being a Marley, that name alone carries weight. What would you say are some of the misconceptions about the Marley family?
SM: The biggest misconception..most folks don’t know how we grew up. Most folks probably believe we grew up in Beverly Hills or something like that. The next would be that people think we (my brothers and I) do this because of our name. Those kinda of things.

N: It has been said that you are the most musical of your brothers. Some say the closet to your father. What are some of the challenges associated with being compared to your father?
SM: The biggest challenge is to just create great music. I don’t go into the music with my name, I go in the music with my soul. So when I go into the studio I don’t carry my name, I carry my soul.

N: Thats dope. How do you feel about commercial music? Do you go in to make “commercial” songs or do you make what you want and hope the people like it?
SM: As far as “commercial” goes, no. I don’t try to make “commercial” songs. I might try to make a song that they might play on the radio, but it is not going to change the integrity of my music. The morals of what we are dealing with will never be compromised for commercial success.

N: Speaking of integrity, how important do you think it is for artist to stay true to who they are?
SM: It is very important to stay true because of the power of music and the influence that music has. It is very powerful. It is a big responsibility for anyone that has an influence over people through music. At least that is what I think (laughs).

N: So you feel as an artist you have an influence over people through your music?
SM Yes, man! And a responsibility, also. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time or that we are going to listen to only one type of music, but you still have a responsibility.

N: It is good to hear you say that. So lets switch gears and talk about the tour. What are the shows going to be like?
SM: Well I am going to do two tours. The first is going to be more intimate with the acoustic vibe. We are bringing the flute, and the djembe drums (the ancient African drums), the acoustic guitar.  A nice vibe.  And then, I am going to go out (tour) with Snoop Dog and Slightly Stoopid on the Blazed and Confused tour.

N: How did the collaboration with Snoop Dogg come about?
SM: For the Traffic Jam Remix? (Laughs) As you know, we both face similar (laughs again)..similar struggles when it comes to the herb. (laughs again) And we are both advocates of the use of marijuana. At the same time Damien (Marley) met him in Japan. I met him before, but Damien was on tour with him in Japan and a relationship grew from there.

N: So you have won the most Grammys when it comes to reggae music…
SM: So them say….(laughs). I mean that is cool, for what it is worth, but I don’t really make music for a trophy. But what its worth, to your peers and such it is good. Good that they show a token (of appreciation).

N: What would you say that is more attractive about reggae music?
SM: There are two things about reggae music. First is the beat. It is like your heartbeat. So, if you get into it, it hypnotic. Makes you want to hear it again and again and again. The second is the message of the music. The topics and such forth, everyone relates to it. No matter what generation you are from or what culture, you relate to reggae music. The truth that it brings. The news. As my father would say, reggae music is the news.

N: I have a good friend in London and he says reggae music has a huge following in Europe. What do you think the difference is between there and here?
SM: They are more open there. Its more vast. Even in my father’s time with dreadlocks. The whole look and sound of where reggae music came from.¬† You know the people see us with the long locks (that) look like snakes,¬† or however they want to describe it, back then it wasn’t so quickly accepted here in America. Over in Europe they had a big punk movement so they were a bit more open to the rebellious side of people.

N: Any collaborations or secrets you want to let us know about?
SM: I mean…just check out my music..we have some collaborations out there so we don’t want to leave out no one. (laughs).

N: No doubt. Thanks for talking to us today.
SM: No doubt, it was good talking to you to. When we come to L.A. make sure you come check us out. We going to talk to Snoop and get out there.

Stephen’s album, Mind Control Acoustic, is currently available on iTunes and according to the reviews, you will not be disappointed. I didn’t get a chance to listen to the entire album before the interview, but I put it on as I was typing up this post. The music felt good and provided a great escape from what we are constantly bombarded with over the radio. The acoustic versions strip away all the extra production and leave you with the honesty of the music and passion of Stephen’s voice. I would definitely recommend this album for your collection. The original 5 Grammy-award winning version of Mind Control is also available on iTunes. The single, Traffic Jam (Aoustic), is embedded below.

The Traffic Jam (Acoustic) – Stephen Marley