There are few names in music as celebrated as Bob Marley’s.
His melodic compositions, unifying lyrics and electric energy captivated the world during his two-decade career—and long after his untimely passing in 1981.
“Our father’s music is just as relevant today as it was when he was alive,” notes Cedella Marley, 50, his eldest child with wife Rita. Now the name that became synonymous with reggae and Rastafari also boasts a clothing company, coffee and beverage brands, and The House of Marley, which sells eco-friendly audio products.
Its ambassadors include granddaughters Eden, 23, and Selah, 18. This past July Cedella, an activist and entrepreneur, released her first cookbook, Cooking With Herb: 75 Recipes for the Marley Natural Lifestyle. The longtime vegetarian insists, “Whether it’s through music, food or fashion, we all share his vision and hope for peace, and want to inspire people to take the positive path.”
This feature originally appeared in the October 2017 Issue of ESSENCE Magazine.
From handing out prom dresses in Harlem to spearheading a girl’s empowerment project in Haiti, the young philanthropist and first child of Rohan Marley and Geraldine Khawly has made it her mission to give back through her Garden of Eden Foundation. The Hofstra University law student credits her grandfather as her inspiration to make a difference.
The promoter of peace, love and positivity is the keeper of the family empire, so it’s no wonder her résumé includes a cannabis line, four children’s books and fashion collaborations with Puma and Barneys New York. Check out her social media platforms (@cedellamarley) and you’ll see the biz guru is also the mother of three including singer–songwriter Skip Marley.
Music is in her DNA, but the daughter of Bob’s son Rohan Marley and the legendary Lauryn Hill is carving out a space of her own as a fashion model. She has strutted down the catwalk for the likes of Yeezy and Chanel and starred in clothing campaigns for Rag & Bone and Beyoncé’s Ivy Park.
