Another Billboard #1 Reggae album for Ziggy Marley as the newest release Fly Rasta stands at to the top of the Billboard Reggae Album chart. Fly Rasta is holding its ground as the album is in its second week at the #1 position of the chart. Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend: Remixed and Snoop Lion’s Reincarnated follows suit holding the #2 and #3 spots respectively.
Fly Rasta has been on charts for a mere three weeks and comes as Ziggy Marley’s third solo #1 on the charts. The 10 track album opens with I Don’t Wanna Live on Mars that sets the atmosphere for the remaining tracks such as Lighthouse, Give It Away and title track Fly Rasta which features Reggae pioneer U-Roy.
A journey that began in 2013, Fly Rasta is seen to be naturally different from the reggae crooner’s previous projects. The album comes at a time when there was a need to explore new ways to express traditional Reggae music, Ziggy’s modern approach to the production. “With songs written within the last three years, every element of Fly Rasta was top notch” Ziggy stated.
The album features renowned musicians including keyboardist Zac Rae, bassist Dave Wilder, Motown’s very own drummer James Godson among a span of others like producer Dave Cooley. They were instrumental in steering the success of Fly Rasta. The Melody Makers also played an integral role as sisters Cedella and Sharon Marley provided backing vocals for the album.
“The Melody Makers have a sound. They added a whole lot to it. It was nice having them,” Ziggy stated.
Since the release on April 12, Ziggy has been on an intensive promotional tour for Fly Rasta. The six-time Grammy Award winner has been making television appearances on the international scene as he has taken Fly Rasta to shows such as Arsenio Hall, Conan, The Queen Latifa Show as well as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. The artiste also continues his concert tour in North America as he is expected to make stops in California, Las Vegas, Ohio and New York.
Fly Rasta is Ziggy Marley’s sixth studio album and continues on its globetrotting escapades as he next appears at Chumash Casino & Resort in Santa Ynez, California on Thursday, May 22.