MULTIPLE Grammy winning artiste Ziggy Marley, is so passionate about showing respect to the musical trailblazers and ensuring that their legacy is cherished and passed on to the next generation, that he has produced the first in a series called Dancehall Originators Vol 1.

"These youngsters today don't know enough about the music, where it originated, the who's who ... the veterans who made it happen and the riddims that played such an integral role in the success of the whole thing. It's important that we understand the past ... the legacy, so that we can build and shape the present and the future," the eldest son of icon Bob Marley declared.

As Ziggy recalled, "My father and his generation were my mentors and I listen to them to be inspired. And their music has not lost any of its relevance throughout the years. Dancehall Originators will be a series that reflect these artistes who are important to the music.
"It's all about showing gratitude," he reiterated, while adding that in other cultures this is the norm.
"Reggae music is very valuable to us and we need to treat it with the respect that it deserves," he said.

"I feel good about this Grammy, especially since it's in a different category from what we are used to. I give thanks for the recognition and realise that this means more hard work as we show the world the versatility that lies within us as reggae musicians and singers," he said.

FROM THE VAULTS OF TUFF GONG WORLDWIDE COMES A NEW COMPILATION OF ORIGINAL DANCEHALL MIXES TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Album Includes Tracks By Chaka Demus, Yellow Man and Buju Banton, Among Others

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiple Grammy winning artist Ziggy Marley, and Tuff Gong Worldwide present "Dancehall Originators Vol 1," the first in a new series of dancehall reggae albums designed to pay homage to the groundbreaking original artists that paved the way for dancehall artists today. The album, which will be released on February 2nd, features tracks by Chaka Demus, Yellow Man and Buju Banton, among others (track list below).