HE SPENT HIS EARLY YEARS BATTLING THE CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN THE MIAMI INNER CITY AREA.

He was made to discount his paternal roots and journey far from his Caribbean homeland of Jamaica to make a life for himself.

THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL TALENT, HAVING AN INCREDIBLE VOICE, STAGE PRESENCE, ACTING SKILLS AND BUSINESS SAVVY.

He is Ky-Mani Marley, one of the sons of Reggae legend Bob Marley, and a great presence in his own right!

I was bowled over by his humility, his truth and his quiet confidence.  This Grammy nominated singer is also an accomplished actor, starring in “Shottas” and “One Love”.  He recently added author to his CV, as he has penned an autobiography – “Dear Dad” that explores his relationships with his siblings and details his early years.

His sensitive side is apparent.  I think that’s his only side actually.  He openly recounts his pain and disappointment at not being able to live the legacy of his father prior to age 18.  But, like his father, he is a humanitarian, committed to making a difference through his music and other work.

Ky-Mani and I tried to pin down a date for this interview, which we eventually did via Skype.  This was a first for me as I always do my cover stories in person.  I made an exception and compromised with Skype (where I get to see his eyes and body language anyway) only because I had done a TV interview with him a few weeks earlier.  I had already entered his psyche; it was all good.

Marley and I clicked immediately.  He is a survivor and so am I.  He is very driven and so am I.  I have read his book and it is certainly an eye-opener and a page-turner.  His is an adventurous spirit, and he never backs down from a challenge.

This is probably why he began “Send Down The Rain”, a melody that now is the theme song for The Beat Breast Cancer Music Festival, which will be held on October 31, 2010, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.  It’s also probably why, without hesitation, he accepted the invitation to be the headline act for that event.  His interest in people, his concern for creating positive change wherever he can, and his simple understanding that love makes the world go ‘round wouldn’t allow him to do any differently.

Complete interview published in the Summer/Fall 2010 issue