Ky-Mani Marley Fills Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas with Good Times and Positive Vibes

Ky-Mani Marley – Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas – July 29, 2015

The last name Marley resonates worldwide as part of a cultural, political and social revolution, and it remains just as relevant today, as evidenced by Ky-Mani Marley’s performance last night at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas. The legendary Bob Marley’s second-youngest son had the crowd grooving to his raw, gruff sound and feel-good, powerfully political and love-driven lyrics. Having been to quite a few of the Marley siblings’ shows, I must say that they all have their own unique style while keeping their father’s spirit alive, but in just a short time, Ky-Mani Marley quickly became one of my favorites. Playing from his new album, Maestro, which he dubbed “life-inspiring,” Marley — accompanied by a four-piece band and a pair of women backup vocalists — filled the venue with good energy and positive vibes. Highlights included “Keepers of the Light,” off the new LP, with its slower-paced reggae jam, and borrowing from his father, “Is This Love.” The inspiring performance sent real-life messages while presenting an honest, humble, all-are-equal attitude through his reggae/hip-hop music. And who doesn’t want to relate to that somehow? —Marissa Martello