On July 25, 2023, the Honourable Dr. Alferita Marley OJ, OD, LITT, the first lady of Reggae and matriarch of the Marley family, celebrates her 77th birthday. The Marley family will celebrate her living achievements as a creative artist, dynamic businesswoman and global philanthropist, with a series of birthday activities culminating in a star-studded concert. The world is invited to join the “Easy Sailing 77” Livestream on Tuff Gong TV’s Youtube channel and across the Marley family Facebook pages, on July 25, 5pm Eastern / 4pm Ja time.

“We are blessed to be able to honour my mother and celebrate her achievements,” says Cedella Marley, the firstborn child of Bob and Rita Marley and CEO of the Marley Group of Companies. “It is her resilience, strength, and vision that helped to build Tuff Gong International and establish the Bob Marley Museum, as well as the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations.”

Each year, the birthday activities for Mrs. Rita Marley highlight and support Jamaican communities that are rooted in causes she is passionate about, and this year is no different. Leading into her birthday, the Rita Marley Foundation:

• Donated JM$8.5 Million in Medical equipment to the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (in the first phase of a project. Phase 2 is expected to be another JM$8.5 Million)
• Handed over a JM$3.5 Million newly refurbished kitchen to Mary’s Child (home for pregnant teens)
• Committed to refurbishing the Auditorium (JM$5 Million) and Dormitories (JM$3 Million) of the Maxfield Park Children’s Home
• Opened applications for the Rita Marley Scholarship, which awards JM$4 Million to empower 10 women in University to continue their education. Apply online at: RitaMarleyFoundation.org. Deadline: July 31, 2023.

The birthday celebrations for cultural icon, Rita Marley, set sail down Main Street, Rose Hall in Montego Bay on July 12 with a live reggae concert featuring Tanto Metro & Devonte, Alaine, Hezron, and a special guest performance by Sharon Marley, formerly of the multi- Grammy award winning group — Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers. The 11 finalists of this year’s JCDC Festival Song Competition also joined the other artists in showcasing the island’s dynamic musical culture.

The highlight of the celebration to honor Rita Marley‘s life and work is a never before seen concert ‘live’ from Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica. With the audio previously aired on Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio (channel 19 on SiriusXM), this stellar lineup of performers represents every aspect of Jamaican music from dancehall to roots reggae and lovers’ rock: Elephant Man, Jah 9, Duane Stephenson, Ken Boothe, George Nooks, Mystic Marley, and French-born reggae & blues artist, Delphine.

All are invited to watch the live video stream, Easy Sailing 77, sharing with fans around the world highlights of the Rita Marley’s 77th birthday activities as well as the SiriusXM concert. Tune in on the Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel and the Marley Facebook pages on Rita Marley’s birthday, July 25, at 5pm Eastern / 4pm Ja time.

Rita Marley

Internationally, the name Marley is synonymous with reggae music and the culture of Jamaica. It is no coincidence that the talented young Rita Anderson was destined to become a cornerstone of the musical Marley family. Bob Marley is the King of Reggae, and his wife, The Honorable Dr. Alferita Marley O.J, O.D, LITT, (affectionately called ‘Rita’) provided him with vocal support as a member of the I-Threes. Rita Marley also forged a career in her own right as a solo artist. Her catalog of hits includes One Draw, Harambe, Lion & the Lamb, Good Girls Culture, and Just One More Morning.

As the matriarch of the Marley family, Dr. Marley wears many hats and has been instrumental in the initiation and completion of great works internationally, regionally, and locally. In 1986, she had the vision and wisdom to transform Bob Marley’s house at 56 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica into the Bob Marley Museum. Dr. Marley’s purchase of the former Federal Records at 220 Marcus Garvey Drive and subsequent relocation of Tuff Gong International to this new address set the stage for Tuff Gong to become a leader in the recording, manufacturing, and distribution of music in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the world. She is the Founder and Chairperson of the Bob Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Museum, Tuff Gong International, and the Rita Marley Foundation. Dr. Marley continues to honor her commitment to the works of her husband, her children, and her people by fulfilling her mission to enlighten, educate and entertain through her philanthropy and music.

For all interviews and media requests, please contact:

JAMAICA / CARIBBEAN:

Julia Vaz

Bob Marley Group of Companies

Office: +1(876) 841-2986

E-Mail: julia@bobmarleygroup.com

JAMAICA / CARIBBEAN:

Norman ‘Bulpus’ Bryan

Office: +1(876) 408-9437

E-Mail: bulpus876@yahoo.com

NORTH AMERICA / INTERNATIONAL:

Foundation Media – Russell Gerlach

Office: +1(562) 948-3008

E-Mail: foundationmedia@tuffgongmusic.com