Cedella Marley Shares her Father's Legacy Digitally

By: Maryam Khan

Bob Marley’s message of “one love” is a universal truth that spoke to millions of his followers from around the world. His music continues to inspire listeners thirty years after his passing. Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter, published a new e-book titled “Bob Marley: The Man, the Music, the Revolution” where readers can listen to her father’s music, his reflections on social equality and the Rastafari movement. Cedella describes the e-book as “This is Daddy talking to you.” We got a chance to speak with Cedella, a successful fashion designer, musician and entrepreneur.

Elan Magazine: Bob Marley is such an icon and his messages are so inspirational, what do you think it is about your father that so many people could identify with?

Cedella Marley: His honesty. I think that was the most important thing. He spoke from his heart, he sang from his heart, and I think that’s why his message is still relevant today. Because it’s the plain the truth, nothing is made up.

Elan: You and all your siblings have your own unique way of commemorating your father – you with your fashion line and now this book. Was it a struggle interpreting your father’s message into that line and into this book? What was that experience like?

CM: No, I mean, growing up Marley, it’s militancy. It’s very structured, it’s very militant, and it’s very strict. Even in Catch a Fire, when you looked at the jackets, they’re very structured and they fits your body in a certain ways. It is militant but still kind of sexy. So, it was not hard to incorporate it, because it’s me.

Elan: Your father is such a loved man and his music has had such a lasting impression, what will this e-book reveal for readers?

CM: Well that’s up to them!

This book is about you and the readers experiencing it, you know what I’m saying? Once you open it, you’re going to have a different experience than I’m going to have or she is going to have. So I cant even tell you what you’re going to experience, you’re just going to have to open it and actually experience it yourself.

Elan: What led you to feel that this was the right time to publish this book and put it out there?

CM: For me, everything that happens in my life is pre-destined and ordained, so I don’t really question much. Barbara Marcus (adviser to Open Road Media Entertainment) has just been a fabulous person that has come into our lives and it was just what do we do next? She said, this is how we can get your father to millions and millions of people – that’s technology. I said, “well sounds like a plan, but how do we do that and make it an experience?” We incorporated his own talking, so he’s talking to you! We have his music, we have photographs, we have quotes, and I just think with this book you’re going to experience him 3-dimensionally.

Elan: As a young aspiring fashion designer, do you have any advice for me and others?

CM: Stick to you. Be unique and don’t be scared because there are times when things aren’t going, as you would hope. Like with Catch a Fire, it’s not like I’m selling 20,000 pieces, I’m selling 20 pieces, but I know the twenty people who are going to get those pieces…they’re never going to see them again. Don’t follow the trend, make your own and keep true to yourself.

Buy the book here.

Follow Cedella Marley on Facebook.

*Nadia Draz contributed to this article.