Stephen Marley journeys through the 'Hills of St Ann'
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Grammy Award-winning recording artiste Stephen Marley is set to release his new single, Hills of St. Ann, on Friday via Ghetto Youths International and ONErpm. The song marks the beginning of a wider musical journey from Marley, centred on storytelling inspired by Jamaica’s landscapes, culture and identity.
Hills of St. Ann introduces the project’s sonic and thematic direction, rooted in place-based storytelling across Jamaica’s parishes. The debut centres on St Ann—the ‘Garden Parish’—capturing its lush landscapes, spiritual resonance, and cultural significance through evocative lyrics and traditional reggae instrumentation.
“This song represents more than just a place; it represents the root of our foundation, where we’re from as a family,” Marley explained.
Driven by vivid imagery and grounded in themes of gratitude, heritage, and connection to land, the record reflects Marley’s signature approach of merging roots reggae with contemporary production while maintaining an authentic cultural core. Lines referencing rolling hills, flowing rivers, and spiritual devotion position the track as both a tribute and a meditation on identity.
“This project came from the love of Jamaica, where every community has a story, every parish its own vibe, and just the island in its entirety is such a beautiful place, inside and outside. ‘The land where my heart belongs’, as it says in the song,” said the nine-time Grammy Award–winning artiste, producer, and songwriter.
The release of Hills of St. Ann signals the beginning of a multi-release campaign exploring Jamaica’s culture, identity, and natural beauty through music. Each forthcoming release is expected to spotlight different aspects of Jamaica’s geography and culture, forming a cohesive body of work centred on storytelling and cultural connection.
Blending cultural documentation with a global reggae sound, the single targets core reggae audiences while extending its reach to international listeners.
One of reggae’s most respected voices, the second-born son of Bob Marley has built a global career blending reggae with hip-hop, soul, and world influences, collaborating with artistes including Lauryn Hill, Nas, and Erykah Badu. His latest album, Old Soul (2023), highlights his genre-spanning sound, while his acclaimed catalogue includes Mind Control and the Revelation series. He also served as musical director for the film Bob Marley: One Love, whose soundtrack won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
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Nine-time Grammy winner Stephen Marley.