Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Ky-mani Marley (right) and Stephen Marley perform at Jamaica Cultural Development Commission concert 'Get Up, Stand Up', in honour of Bob Marley at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St. Andrew, on Tuesday. -photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

With quiet confidence, actor, singer and songwriter Ky-mani Marley, has carved out his niche in the entertainment world.

Marley appeared as a performer in 1996 when he recorded Like Father Like Son, an album consisting of cover versions of some of his father's songs. His next album, The Journey, was released in 1999, followed by his 2001 Many More Roads, which was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album. He lost to his brother Damian's Half-Way Tree. Then people truly noticed Ky-mani as a gangsta in the 2002 film Shottas, and as John the Baptist in the 2004 release Haven.

While music wasn't a first choice for the young Marley, it became an intricate part of his life which soon expanded to acting. "Acting for me was a childhood dream. I have always been a big fan of action movies, always wanted to be in that role where I was an action hero. I think it wasn't really something that I stressed on, wasn't planning to build on, but it was always at the back of my mind, always say I would love to give it a shot. Fortunately, I was presented with the opportunity and here I am now," he said.

However, for Ky-mani, it is through music that he is able to show the world more of himself. "Singing, I get to express me. Singing is coming from my soul, my meditation, my thoughts, my outlook on life, while acting is someone else's script I'm playing a role in. But I enjoy both of them. As far as music is concerned, I was given the gift from the Almighty to be able to do all of these and still be authentic. It's not me trying to do something or trying to be someone else. Whatever I speak from my mouth musically is me; it's not a story I created, dis is how I feel about life, this is my outlook on life," he said.

High expectations

Living up to high expectations are among the many rivers Ky-mani has had to cross, having a legendary father and driven siblings. "At one point everyone had their own expectations as to what I was supposed to be doing as an artiste. Everyone expect di one drop, the straight roots riddim - that is not me. For me to try doing that would be a copy. You feel the energy of words coming from you that you know is Ky-mani, rather than me trying to replicate what my father did. You can't touch it again," he said.

"I don't feel no pressure when people compare me to my father; it's actually an honour for me. Somewhere down the line I'm doing something right."

Although tight-lipped as to his plans, Ky-mani admitted that he is working on new movies and a new album that he says will be something to behold. In the meantime, Ky-mani and the rest of his brothers were at the 'Smile Jamaica' concert in memory of his father yesterday in Nine Miles, St Ann.

"Smile Jamaica concert is what Robert Nesta Marley stood for, which is the unity of our people, togetherness where we can smile as a country all at once. The Gong's work was great and coming from dis small island, it really mean a lot," he said.

Although he carries the memory of his father in his heart wherever he goes, seeing the world remember his father every year is always something for Ky-mani Marley to smile about.

krista.henry@yahoo.com