Stephen Marley not afraid to get political

By ERIC SCHELKOPF -

Stephen Marley has already forged his standing as a musician as the son of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley and as a member of The Melody Makers.

Now the 34-year-old Marley is adding to his musical resumé through the recent release of his solo debut album, “Mind Control.”

But it’s not like Marley planned to release the album at this time. “I make music every day. Music is not something that I sit down and think about,” Marley said.

In recording the album, Marley had several goals.

“I wanted to enlighten people, but at the same time, I want them to have a good time,” Marley said. “It was fun making music, making music that comes out of our pores.”

Guest musicians like Mos Def and Ben Harper appear on “Mind Control.” ‘All of them are my friends,” Marley said. “It was pretty cool.”

The title track deals with such heavy subject matter as freeing oneself from slavery.

“They feed our minds – telling us what to watch on television, what to hear on the radio, what to read in the media,” Marley said. “That’s what they want, to keep us under control. We don’t even know what the truth is.”

Marley is used to being on stage. As a youngster, he danced and sang onstage with his father and his band, The Wailers.

“Those were the days,” Marley said. “It was great to see him work and to be a part of that.”

He also has appreciated spending time with siblings Ziggy, Cedella and Sharon in the band The Melody Makers.

“We are brothers and sisters, so it’s great,” Marley said. “Other families are not as close.”

Just like his father, Marley views reggae as more than just ‘good time’ music.

“My father said reggae music is news, reporting to the world about what is going on in the world,” Marley said.

“It just so happens that it gets political. It is going to get political in terms of writing about what is going on. I want my music to serve a purpose, more than just making people feel good.”

Stephen Marley will perform Saturday at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, Chicago. The show starts at 8:30 p.m., and tickets are $23, available through all Ticketmaster outlets.