Artist

Julian Marley

recording from the 1990s · activeLondon and Kingston → international reggae
THE STORY

A modern-roots singer and multi-instrumentalist who keeps widening the branch. Julian moved from roots-centered albums into the electronic and amapiano experiments around Colors of Royal.

GO DEEPER

Julian Marley developed as a musician between Britain and Jamaica, recording early and later joining Stephen and Damian in the Ghetto Youths circle. Lion in the Morning and Awake established a modern roots voice shaped by live musicianship and Rastafari-centered writing. Colors of Royal, made with Antaeus, pulled electronic dance textures into that foundation and won the 2024 GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album. Julian’s own explanation is useful: reggae remains inside him, but carrying its message outward can mean working with Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop or electronic production rather than protecting one frozen arrangement.

modern rootsmulti-instrumentalistelectronic branchGhetto Youths

How they stand with the others

Mixed withColors of Royal treats electronic production as another branch of Julian’s reggae rather than a novelty remix attached afterward.

Listen

Awake Julian Marley · 2009 YouTube
As I Am Julian Marley · 2019 YouTube
Colors of Royal Julian Marley & Antaeus · 2023 YouTube
Recording Academy · Julian MarleyRecording Academy · Julian Marley interview

People

Stephen MarleyDamian MarleyAntaeus

Connected

Roots ReggaeReturned to · modern roots foundation Reggae Fusionroots widened through electronic production Hip-Hop Reggaeone part of a broader hybrid palette The Marley Brothersthe family on one stage

Sources

Recording Academy · Julian Marley grammy.comOfficial GRAMMY record for Awake, As I Am and Colors of Royal.
Recording Academy · Julian Marley on extending the musical branch grammy.comFirst-person account of his roots background, electronic work and genre expansion.

Last checked 1 September 2026

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