Julian Marley ready for Emancipation Park and ‘Bob at 80’ celebrations
KINGSTON, Jamaica–Julian Marley, Grammy Award-winning Reggae artiste and son of music legend Bob Marley, is gearing up for an electrifying performance at the Uprising, the musical tribute to Bob Marley to commemorate his 80th birthday.
The Uprising is set for Thursday, February 6 at Emancipation Park, Kingston.
Julian Marley, who is one of the headliner acts, in a media release said he is eager to deliver a set befitting the occasion that his father would be proud of, and that the audience will enjoy. He noted that his set for the concert will comprise both his own music, as well as music of his father.
“It’s going to be a great show. It is Bob Marley’s ‘Earthstrong’ so we have to bring the vibe. I am here getting ready to just give the people some great music and a powerful performance. So right now, I am carefully choosing the music to make sure the set is right, and the people will feel the spirit of Bob Marley through the music,” he shared.
Marley is fresh from the successful Legends Tour, which also featured his brothers – Ziggy, Ky-Mani, Stephen and Damian – which took the siblings all across the United States. The tour highlighted the individual works of all five artistes as well as the timeless music of their iconic father.
“This was great and powerful… there are really no words to accurately describe the experience. The last time we all performed together was a few years ago so the togetherness was truly felt by us all. What we all walked away with was how our father’s music was really a Godsend. Despite the passage of time, it still resonates with audiences in a powerful way; his music still heals and is still as important and relevant today, as it was decades ago when it was first released,” said Marley, affectionately referred to as JuJu.
Julian Marley will be joined by a mixture of local and international reggae acts such as Skip Marley, the Reggae King’s grandson and son of Cedella Marley, Bushman, Warrior King and Aza Lineage who will share the stage with South American reggae bands Nonpalidece from Argentina, and Antidoping from Mexico as well as dancehall deejay Jah Fabio also from Mexico.
“I just want people to come out and experience this tribute to my father. It is his 80th Earthstrong and it is going to be really great vibes, and a fantastic show with really good music,” Julian noted.
The Bob Marley 80 Earthstrong Tribute Concert is one of the highlights of Wray & Nephew Reggae Month 2025, with a number of other key events making up the core of the celebrations. These include the Young Reggae Ambassadors Concert in Emancipation Park on Saturday, February 8, Tuesday Service at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on February 25, and the Reggae Gold Awards Ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre on February 28. The celebration will culminate with the Dancehall Week Street Parade and the Dancehall Week After Party on Sunday, March 2.