My mother’s music inspired me, says Firebird Sharon Marley
WITH her new album Firebird released just weeks ago, three-time Grammy-winning member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and now I-Threes next-generation singer Sharon Marley steps into a bold new sonic era — one rooted in healing, heritage, and the enduring influence of her mother, Rita Marley.
Drawing deeply from the legacy of her mother, Sharon channels a lifetime of influence into her music, noting that Rita’s extensive catalogue — spanning roughly a dozen albums — has been a constant source of inspiration. With a career that began long before she was born, Rita’s voice and message have shaped generations, and that impact is felt strongly in Sharon’s latest work.
A self-proclaimed introvert, Sharon describes her first solo project as deeply personal, taking years to cultivate the right energy and intention. The journey spans five years, beginning in 2021 when she re-emerged with her début single Just One More Morning, a heartfelt remake of her mother’s 1988 classic. Released in tribute to Rita’s 75th birthday, the track marked Sharon’s return to music — not as a supporting voice, but as an artist fully stepping into her own identity.
That reawakening has now blossomed into Firebird, her long-awaited début solo project. A radiant exploration of transformation, the project blends reggae with elements of blues, jazz, soul, and R&B, creating a sound that is both timeless and distinctly Jamaican. On her new album, she pays additional tribute by reimagining Turn Turn Turn, a song her mother recorded over 40 years ago, originally popularised by The Byrds. By revisiting this classic, Sharon not only honours her mother’s enduring musical legacy, but also bridges past and present, carrying forward a sound rooted in heritage, spirituality, and timeless storytelling.
“I never set out to do a solo project,” she shared. “I was inspired by my mother’s music and missed her voice. Being in the studio helped ease my anxieties and gave me a sense of purpose.
Firebird represents rebirth from the ashes of life’s challenges. It’s a reminder that no matter what we go through, we can rise again. It carries a frequency of love and healing.”
With Firebird, she now embraces a new chapter — one centred on her own growth and expression.
“The woman you hear on this project is still that little girl inside,” she said. “She’s learning to love herself, to speak her truth, and to embrace every emotion — even the difficult ones. This journey has been deeply healing and transformative, and I hope it inspires others to tap into that same frequency.”
The album also reconnects Sharon musically with her sisters, Melody Makers Cedella Marley and Rica Newell, on the track Island, marking a reunion of voices not heard together in decades. This deeply personal collaboration adds another layer of meaning to the project, which will extend beyond music into a Firebird retreat set for Negril this summer.
“The intention behind Firebird goes beyond me,” Sharon explained. “It’s for anyone seeking strength and motivation in their own journey. The album is recorded at 432 Hz — a frequency believed to align with love and healing.”
Closing with a message to women, Sharon emphasises the innate power of the divine feminine. “So much is expected of us, yet we often underestimate our own strength. The ability to bring life into the world is powerful in itself — we don’t need to prove anything. Tap into your divine energy. Your frequency is already beyond measure.”
With Firebird, Sharon Marley doesn’t just introduce her solo voice, she ignites a movement of healing, self-discovery, and rebirth.
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Sharon noted that mom Rita’s extensive catalogue — spanning roughly a dozen albums — has been a constant source of inspiration.
