IT came to her in a dream.

For years, Shacia Marley, daughter of Stephen and grand-daughter to Bob and Rita, knew she wanted to be involved in music, after all, it is in her DNA. What she did not know was which area of the music business it would be. Then came the dream and DJ Sasha Payne was born.

“In the dream it was me on stage with my grandfather. I don’t know what I was doing but there was a look on his face that told me he was enjoying it and it made him feel really, really good. So one day it was my mother who said to me that I should try mixing. I tried it once and fell in love with it… that’s when the dream became clear to me,” explained the petite 21-year-old.

Last Saturday at the Smile Jamaica 40th anniversary concert, a Jamaican audience got its first taste of the musical selections of DJ Sasha Payne as she warmed up the audience ahead of her father’s performance. Her playlist was drawn from her family’s extensive catalogue, blended with hip-hop tracks, which is a reflection of her American and Jamaican upbringing.

Splash caught up with her at 56 Hope Road, just feet away from the room in which her grandfather was shot and injured 40 years ago. She said performing at the concert was her best stage experience to date.

“I got a text from Debbie (Bissoon) at Tuff Gong asking me if I wanted to perform on the show and I was like, ‘yeah, let’s do this’. So I came in and kinda checked out the vibe and it was the best experience I’ve ever had… on stage it was my best experience ever. It was my second time playing for a crowd like this and my first time playing in Jamaica, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I had in mind to play hip hop, but the other selector was playing roots-reggae so I decided to combine. But to be on that stage here, at this house, was magical. I just felt so much energy. I got to be myself on that stage too which felt really good. Just being free,” she related, brimming with the same unbridled energy and excitement she exhibited during her on-stage gig days earlier.

Born in Miami, Florida, the essence of being Marley and what the name and brand means did not hit home until three months ago.

“I was here in Jamaica on my own and just being here and around the people it hit me… There is an enormous legacy and responsibility. I quickly realised mi haffi continue di ting and live up to the trend which has been set.”

Not content to limit herself to spinning music, DJ Sasha Payne is looking to spread her musical wings. She has her eyes set on producing in the vein of EDM super group Major Lazer. However, she never strays from the influence of her famous family, noting that her father’s production on Chant Down Babylon is her gold standard.

“My dad really inspires me to produce. That album Chant Down Babylon is what really makes me want to produce. The way he blends reggae and hip hop perfectly. And that’s what I kinda did on Saturday. If I could bring any two acts from reggae and hip hop together to produce, it would be JCole and Bob (Marley). I feel JCole brings that thing that touches you… deep.”

She is a lover of 1990s dancehall with Beenie Man, Spragga Benz and Lady Saw among her favourites. DJ Sasha Payne is also drawn to the work of current acts such as Konshens, Keznamdi, Spice and Runkus.