New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ TMA, Inc.) Stephen Marley's newest release, REVELATION PT 1: THE ROOT OF LIFE (Ghetto Youths/Universal Republic) takes the No 1 position on the Billboard Reggae Chart this week as well as No 20 on the R&B Chart, and establishes Stephen as the first of the musical Marley family to debut No 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart three times consecutively. Stephen's other two No 1s were MIND CONTROL (2007) and MIND CONTROL ACOUSTIC (2009). Both albums went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album and contributed to his total seven Grammy wins.
REVELATION PT 1: THE ROOT OF LIFE in the digital arena holds strong at No 2 on iTunes Reggae chart, behind Bob Marley at No 1 and in front of Damian Marley and NAS release "Distant Relatives," which Stephen contributed to as a guest vocalist, songwriter and producer. On Amazon.com it is also No 2, with Bob Marley at No 1.
Stephen will begin a U.S. summer tour in support of REVELATION PT 1: THE ROOT OF LIFE on Wednesday, June 8 in Ventura, CA and which takes him across the country with stops in over 30 cities that include The Greek Theatre Los Angeles with Dispatch (June 11), The Electric Forest Festival (July 1), Milwaukee Summerfest Festival (July 2), and The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (July 16).
The tour contributes to a very busy 2011 for Stephen, with last week's release of REVELATION PT. 1: THE ROOT OF LIFE, and the scheduled fall release of REVELATION PT 2: THE FRUIT OF LIFE. Conceived as a two part project, THE ROOT OF LIFE is a celebration and preservation of roots rock reggae, while THE FRUIT OF LIFE, will feature an array of styles that have emanated from reggae's core. A special collector's vinyl edition of both releases will be available on VP Records.
Anchored in reggae's scorching drum and bass backbeat, THE ROOT OF LIFE delivers an organic and richly textured sound through the 14 tracks making it a true body of work that delivers powerful messages - encouragement for the struggling masses ("Working Ways"); depicts the harrowing residual effect of slavery ("Old Slaves"); evokes the sorrow of rejection ("She Knows Now"); conveys the disappointment of "False Friends"; in reggae's lovers-rock tradition a duet with Melanie Fiona, "No Cigarette Smoking"; to the final track "Now I Know," a contemplative song about moving on.
The first single, "Jah Army," features Damian Marley and Buju Banton spitting formidable, career-defining verses over a thunderous one-drop rhythm with lyrics to rally the troops. "Whether it's in the music or our life, get it together man, the Gideon is on," declares Stephen.
While on tour, Stephen will continue to work tirelessly towards raising awareness of the needs of at risk/disadvantaged youth and will donate $1.00 from each ticket to Ghetto Youths Foundation. Established by the Marley Brothers, Ghetto Youths Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged and minority youths both here and abroad by educating and assisting this population with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, social, family disorder and alienation that this group feels on a daily basis. Donations can be made directly to Ghetto Youths Foundation on their website - https://www.ghettoyouths.com.
Additional tour dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
| Date | | City | | State | | Venue |
| Wed-Jun-08 | | Ventura | | CA | | Majestic Ventura Theater |
| Thu-Jun-09 | | San Diego | | CA | | House of Blues |
| Fri-Jun-10 | | Las Vegas | | NV | | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Outdoor Pool |
| Sat-Jun-11 | | San Bernardino | | CA | | The NOS Events Center |
| Sun-Jun-12 | | Los Angeles | | CA | | The Greek Theatre |
| Wed-Jun-15 | | San Francisco | | CA | | The Fillmore |
| Thu-Jun-16 | | Arcata | | CA | | Arcata Theatre |
| Fri-Jun-17 | | Ashland | | OR | | Ashland Armory |
| Sat-Jun-18 | | Portland | | OR | | Roseland Theater |
| Sun-Jun-19 | | Seattle | | WA | | Showbox at the Market |
| Tue-Jun-21 | | Spokane | | WA | | Knitting Factory Concert House |
| Thu-Jun-23 | | Aspen | | CO | | Belly Up Aspen |
| Fri-Jun-24 | | Bond | | CO | | State Bridge Lodge |
| Sat-Jun-25 | | Boulder | | CO | | Boulder Theater |
| Sun-Jun-26 | | Bellevue | | CO | | Mishawaka Amphitheatre |
| Tue-Jun-28 | | Council Bluffs | | IA | | Whiskey Roadhouse at Horseshoe Casino |
| Wed-Jun-29 | | Minneapolis | | MN | | First Avenue |
| Fri-Jul-01 | | Rothbury | | MI | | Double JJ Ranch & Golf Resort |
| Sat-Jul-02 | | Milwaukee | | WI | | Summerfest |
| Tue-Jul-05 | | Pittsburgh | | PA | | Mr. Smalls Theatre |
| Thu-Jul-07 | | Ottawa | | ON | | LeBreton Flats Park |
| Fri-Jul-08 | | Quebec City | | QC | | Quebec City International Summer Festival |
| Sat-Jul-09 | | South Burlington | | VT | | Higher Ground - Ballroom |
| Sun-Jul-10 | | Providence | | RI | | Lupo's |
| Wed-Jul-13 | | Hyannis | | MA | | Cape Cod Melody Tent |
| Thu-Jul-14 | | Washington | | DC | | 9:30 Club |
| Fri-Jul-15 | | Boston | | MA | | House of Blues |
| Sat-Jul-16 | | New York | | NY | | The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza |
