Wild and Free

Last updated
Wild and Free
ZiggyWildandFree.jpg
Studio album by
Ziggy Marley
ReleasedJune 14, 2011 (2011-06-14)
Recorded2010–2011
Studio
  • Ocean Way Studios
  • Barefoot Studios
Genre Reggae
Length49:57
Label Tuff Gong Worldwide
Producer
Ziggy Marley chronology
Family Time
(2009)		Wild and Free
(2011)		 Fly Rasta
(2014)

Wild and Free is the fourth solo studio album by Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley. It was released on June 14, 2011 via Tuff Gong Worldwide. Recording sessions took place at Ocean Way Studios and Barefoot Studios. Production was handled by Don Was and Ziggy Marley himself, with Orly Marley serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from his eldest son Daniel Marley, Heavy D and Woody Harrelson.

Contents

In the United States, the album peaked at number 152 on the Billboard 200, number 26 on the Independent Albums and atop the Reggae Albums charts. At the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, but lost to his younger brother Stephen Marley's Revelation Pt. 1 – The Root of Life .

Background

In an interview with Billboard , Marley stated that the first single will be "Forward to Love" inspired by his wife Orly Marley. Marley concluded by saying, "I don't think I'm going to get enough time this year to really explore this album live", he notes, "so I'm looking for next year for it to be really about this album. I'll probably play this album more extensively live next year than this year, so it's looking like it's gonna be a two-year plan of touring with this one". [1] The album's title track was used for 2010 California Proposition 19 campaign to legalize recreational marijuana.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 70/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The New Zealand Herald Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Wild and Free was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 70 based on four reviews. [2]

AllMusic's David Jeffries wrote: "stoned to the bone with [Don] Was at the controls means this is one of the more humble and cool offerings in the Ziggy Marley catalog, but those are the same reasons it's an album to return to, delivering that satisfying Rastaman vibration whenever listeners crave a mellow mood". [3] Jeff Weiss of the Los Angeles Times have found "Wild and Free is as casual and familiar as a Friday afternoon. You might not remember it in six months, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a pleasant enough way to idle away the time". [4]

In his mixed review for Slant Magazine , Huw Jones stated: "for his latest release, Wild and Free, he rarely feels the need to stray outside this tried and tested outline: each track bounces along with a carefree groove and exudes blissful vibes without really offering anything fresh or innovative, but is there really any new ground to break in a genre that reached its creative zenith over 30 years ago?". [6]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by David Marley, except track 1 written with Woodrow Harrelson, track 3 written with Dwight Myers, and track 4 written with Linda Perry and Daniel Marley; all music is composed by David Marley, except track 4 composed with Linda Perry

No.TitleLength
1."Wild and Free" (featuring Woody Harrelson)4:50
2."Forward to Love"3:42
3."It" (featuring Heavy D.)4:37
4."Changes" (featuring Daniel Marley)4:06
5."Personal Revolution"4:54
6."Get Out of Town"4:35
7."Roads Less Traveled"4:02
8."Mmmm Mmmm"3:30
9."Welcome to the World"4:12
10."A Sign"3:20
11."Reggae in My Head"3:54
12."Elizabeth"4:15
Total length:49:57

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2011)Peak
position
Belgian Heatseekers Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [7] 13
Belgian Heatseekers Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [8] 1
Dutch Alternative Albums (MegaCharts) [9] 6
French Albums (SNEP) [10] 196
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [11] 83
US Billboard 200 [12] 152
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [13] 26
US Reggae Albums (Billboard) [14] 1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ziggy Marley</span> Jamaican reggae musician (born 1968)

David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002, with whom he released eight studio albums. After the disbandment, Ziggy launched a successful solo career, releasing eight solo studio albums on his own label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Ziggy continues his father's practice of recording and self-releasing all of his music. Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner and a Daytime Emmy Award recipient.

<i>Exodus</i> (Bob Marley and the Wailers album) 1977 studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Exodus is the ninth studio album by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers, first released in June 1977 through Island Records, following Rastaman Vibration (1976). The album's production has been characterized as laid-back with pulsating bass beats and an emphasis on piano, trumpet and guitar. Unlike previous albums from the band, Exodus thematically moves away from cryptic story-telling; instead it revolves around themes of change, religious politics, and sexuality. The album is split into two halves: the first half revolves around religious politics, while the second half is focused on themes of making love and keeping faith.

<i>Conscious Party</i> 1988 studio album by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Conscious Party is Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers' third album. It was released in 1988. This album became popular with the hits "Tumblin' Down" and "Tomorrow People". It won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Marley</span> American musician (born 1972)

Stephen Robert Nesta Marley is a Jamaican-American musician. The son of Bob Marley, Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner, three times as a solo artist, twice as a producer of his younger paternal half-brother Damian Marley's Halfway Tree and Welcome to Jamrock albums, and a further three times as a member of his older brother Ziggy Marley's group Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

<i>Till Death Do Us Part</i> (Cypress Hill album) 2004 studio album by Cypress Hill

Till Death Do Us Part is the seventh studio album by American hip-hop group Cypress Hill. It was released on March 23, 2004 via Columbia Records. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, Fredwreck, The Alchemist and Tony "CD" Kelly. It features guest appearances from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Prodigy, Tego Calderón, Tim Armstrong and Twin Gambino. The album was supported with two singles: "What's Your Number?" and "Latin Thugs".

<i>The Dutchess</i> 2006 studio album by Fergie

The Dutchess is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter and rapper Fergie. It was released through A&M Records and the will.i.am Music Group on September 13, 2006. The album was recorded between the Black Eyed Peas' tour in 2005, and the songs were written in the eight years preceding its release. Fergie wanted to create an autobiographical album that would be more intimate between her and the listener. Musically, it experiments with different music genres, including pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, punk rock and soul. Lyrically, it contains themes about critics, love, and her personal drug abuse and addiction.

<i>Love Is My Religion</i> 2006 studio album by Ziggy Marley

Love Is My Religion is Ziggy Marley's second solo album, the first being Dragonfly, after the 2000 end of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers. The album was released on 2 July 2006 by father Bob Marley's label Tuff Gong Worldwide, and carries on his reggae-style pop sound and lyrical themes established in Dragonfly. Love Is My Religion was named the 2007 Best Reggae album for the 49th Grammy awards held in Los Angeles in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers</span> Jamaican-American reggae family group

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers were a Jamaican-American reggae family group whose line-up consisted of the children of musicians, Bob Marley and Rita Marley, which includes lead singer Ziggy Marley with Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, and Stephen Marley. Formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers members began their musical endeavours in their pre-teens under the name the Melody Makers.

<i>Jahmekya</i> 1991 studio album by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Jahmekya is a studio album by the reggae group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, released in 1991.

<i>Free Like We Want 2 B</i> 1995 studio album by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Free Like We Want 2 B is an album by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, released in 1995 by Elektra Records. It was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best Reggae Album" category.

<i>Intoxication</i> (Shaggy album) 2007 studio album by Shaggy

Intoxication is the eighth studio album by Jamaican rapper Shaggy. It was released on 22 October 2007 through VP Records. Recording sessions took place at Big Yard Studios and Ranch Studio in New York, Jungle Studio and Judgement Yard Studio in Jamaica, The House and Circle House Studios in Florida. Production was handled by Sting Int'l, Tony "CD" Kelly, Christopher "Longman" Birch, Robert Livingston, Dwayne Shippy and Goldenchyl. It features guest appearances from Na'sha, Akon, Collie Buddz, Mischieve, Rayvon, Rik Rok, Sizzla and Tony Gold.

<i>Light</i> (Matisyahu album) 2009 album by Matisyahu

Light is the third studio album by reggae singer Matisyahu, released on August 25, 2009, by Epic and JDub Records. It's his second major label release following Youth released three years previously. Light was highly successful in the reggae world, holding the top spot on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart for 34 weeks.

<i>I Am the West</i> 2010 studio album by Ice Cube

I Am the West is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on September 28, 2010 through Lench Mob Records, marking his second independent release following 2008's Raw Footage.

<i>Apollo Kids</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Ghostface Killah

Apollo Kids is the ninth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Ghostface Killah, released on December 21, 2010, by Def Jam Recordings. Guests on the album include several Wu-Tang members and affiliates, as well as Redman, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz, and Game, among others.

<i>Revelation Pt. 1 – The Root of Life</i> 2011 studio album by Stephen Marley

Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life is the second studio album by Jamaican-American musician Stephen Marley. It was released on May 24, 2001 via Ghetto Youths United/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic Records. Recording sessions took place at Circle House Studios and Lion's Den Studios in Miami, Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica, and Dunham Sound Studios in New York. Produced by Marley himself with co-producers Paul Fakhourie and Llamar Brown, it features guest appearances from Damian Marley, Buju Banton, Capleton, Melanie Fiona, Spragga Benz, Wale, Ziggy Marley and the cast of Fela!.

<i>Fly Rasta</i> 2014 studio album by Ziggy Marley

Fly Rasta is the fifth solo studio album by Jamaican reggae artist Ziggy Marley. It was released on 15 April 2014, via Tuff Gong Worldwide. Produced by Ziggy Marley himself with Dave Cooley's additional production, it features guest appearances from Cedella Marley, Ian "Beezy" Coleman and U-Roy.

<i>Listen</i> (David Guetta album) 2014 studio album by David Guetta

Listen is the sixth studio album by French DJ and record producer David Guetta. It was released on 21 November 2014. It features collaborations with artists from the R&B, hip hop, alternative rock and pop worlds such as Sam Martin, Emeli Sandé, The Script, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Nico & Vinz, Ryan Tedder, Sia, Magic!, Bebe Rexha, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ms. Dynamite, Elliphant, Birdy, Jaymes Young, Sonny Wilson, Vassy, and Skylar Grey. It also features additional production from Guetta's frequent collaborator Giorgio Tuinfort, Avicii, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Showtek, and Stadiumx among others, with additional writing credits from Austin Bisnow, Jason Evigan, Julie Frost, and The-Dream among others.

<i>Distant Relatives</i> 2010 studio album by Nas and Damian Marley

Distant Relatives is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae vocalist Damian Marley. It was released on May 18, 2010, by Universal Republic, Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records.

<i>Welcome to Jamrock</i> 2005 studio album by Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley

Welcome to Jamrock is the third studio album by Jamaican reggae/dancehall artist Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The album was released on September 12, 2005, in the United Kingdom, and one day later in the United States.

<i>Revelation Pt. 2 – The Fruit of Life</i> 2016 studio album by Stephen Marley

The Fruit of Life is the third studio album by Jamaican-American musician Stephen Marley. It was released on 22 July 2016 via Ghetto Youths International. Produced by Stephen Marley himself, it features guest appearances from Damian Marley, Waka Flocka Flame, Black Thought, Bounty Killer, Busta Rhymes, Capleton, Dead Prez, Iggy Azalea, Jasmin Karma, Jo Mersa Marley, Junior Reid, Kardinal Offishall, Konshens, Ky-Mani Marley, Mad Cobra, Pain Killer, Pitbull, Rakim, Rick Ross, Shaggy, Sizzla, Twista, Wyclef Jean and DJ Khaled.

References

  1. ↑ Graff, Gary (April 11, 2011). "Ziggy Marley to Release 'Wild and Free' Album June 14". Billboard . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for Wild and Free - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Wild and Free - Ziggy Marley | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Weiss, Jeff (June 14, 2011). "Album review: Ziggy Marley's 'Wild and Free'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ Reid, Graham (July 14, 2011). "Album Review: Ziggy Marley, Wild and Free". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Jones, Huw (June 12, 2011). "Review: Ziggy Marley, Wild and Free". Slant Magazine . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Ziggy Marley – Wild And Free" (in Dutch). Ultratop Flanders. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Ziggy Marley – Wild And Free" (in French). Ultratop Wallonia. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Ziggy Marley – Wild And Free" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ziggy Marley – Wild And Free". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ziggy Marley – Wild And Free". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ziggy Marley Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Ziggy Marley Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Ziggy Marley Chart History (Reggae Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.