Stephen Robert Nesta Marley is the second son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife, Rita and was born on April 20, 1972. He is a five-time Grammy Award winner and a vibrant artiste, producer and musician. This past week, he released his second album on Universal Records entitled, The Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life and just completed a video for the first US single, "No Smoking (In My Room)" featuring Melanie Fiona.

Express Reporter, Nigel Telesford interviewed Marley on the day after the release of his new album and ahead of his scheduled performance at the annual "Best of the Best" Concert in Miami May 29.

NT: Greetings King, we recognise that this is an important time for you... How are you feeling?

SM: Greetings to you and the people of Trinidad and whoever reads this... The feeling is great once we are able to do Jah works ya know!

NT: Indeed, tell us about the new album, why you called it Revelation and why it's coming in two parts?

SM: This album is water for the root and designed to preserve the root which is really the real reggae music and concept-wise: one is called the root because it contains strictly the roots of reggae, while the other is the fruit which is more a mixture of different styles.

NT: I see... And how are you feeling about the state of reggae music in the world right now? We're seeing a lot more mainstream collaborations, integrations and interpolations of reggae these days. What are your thoughts on these developments?

SM: We're happy to see the music progress, but at the same time we see a lot of people representing reggae music with some kinds of songs that are just commercial entities with no substance... And these are the ones that get pushed to the forefront and what the people hear and see the most... Cause when you say ah reggae music – well, what is reggae music? Is not just the beat! It must have the right message and substance behind it or else it's just... misleading to the people. Now, we know we afe strike ah balance; so that we never neglect the message, but still try to give it a sound that's commercially appealing and that's what my father did so well and why his works are so great to even stand the test of time.

NT: Indeed... and as you brought him up, we saw the world acknowledge the thirtieth anniversary of Bob's passing a few weeks ago. Does your family have a special ritual you practise on this day?

SM: We no 'ave any kind of celebration for his transition you know, but I 'ave noticed that every year on that day, no matter where I am in the world, it always rains! For us, it's a day of reflection yuh know: we just relax and remember... Cause we were there with him you see... We went through the whole process so it's different: is not like if we never know Bob and somebody come and tell us... He may have been many things to many different people, but that was my father you know and I grew up with him there... singing and playing, watching and learning and touring even – first time I went to Africa was with him and we see 50,000 people ah sing him songs word fuh word through the whole concert. So we feel it ah different way and we always try to reflect and burn some herb on that day. When it's his birthday well we will celebrate his life and fulljoy we self more, but... yuh done know.

NT: I understand... Now you've been surrounded by and involved in music your whole life. Can you tell us which part of the business you enjoy the most: recording, producing or performing?

SM: I definitely enjoy recording and producing a bit more than performing, but how you say it there it sounds like it's just one lickle thing in ah box. Ah music we ah make, scene? And that is a very exciting process: from when you get the inspiration, or the first idea for a song, to when you play the music and then put lyrics to it and so forth... And then when you're performing it for and with the people, that's another fulfilling part of it, so how them just come and say this one part here – that is producing a song, it's not really correct cause its ah process and each song has its own vibration that we have to find and create in order to bring it to life..

NT: As you talk about life and given that your album is called The Revelation, we're seeing a lot of natural disasters and so-called prophecies of the rapture and the apocalypse lately... Do you believe that we are living in the last days?

SM: There is no "last days" because Jah say ah World without end. We're livin' in a particular time when certain things which were hidden will be revealed and all the so-called natural disasters are just the end result of all the wrong mankind has done to mother earth. What kind of people are they who would believe and follow blindly the words of a man who does not even claim to be a prophet? Ah bere fools and trickery in these times!

NT: Speaking of trickery, we know you are good friends with Buju Banton... Have you been in touch with him lately, how's he holding up and what are your thoughts on that... situation?

SM: Buju is well... Just maintaining his faith through the time yuh know. Cause here you have a man who is a great musician and performer, singer songwriter and has never been seen or proven to be any kind of drug leader and these people ah seek him out and harass him for a whole year – ah whole year dem ah chase him down and then... for what? Just to take away his freedom. Yuh see wha me ah say? Dem ah chase de man down just fe remove his freedom now, but Jah will be done. He is my friend and I will support him throughout this journey.

NT: He is blessed to have a friend like you. Tell him his fans in Trinidad are rooting for him as well. I know you've visited our shores a few times, how do you feel about Trinidad?

SM: First time I came to Trinidad was with my father also... I always want to come back just for a vacation you know... just to relax and really see the place as a man, but true we ah do so much works and then I have my family, so it cyah be just me coming and the children have school and so forth, so it's a bit difficult to find the time yuh see... But me love Trinidad fuh real you know.. the people always have good vibes!

NT: And what about soca music... I know its not really your thing, but what are your thoughts about it and will you try your hand at producing a soca track at least?

SM: Me really love the soca music yuh kno... It's all African music too same way, but the soca 'ave the energy to make yuh move – I always say its ah music wey yuh cyah help but to move to it, if you're a human you have no choice but to move to it... I never tried my hand at making soca, but yuh give me ah idea there now!