Kingston, Jamaica:- In 2005, the message of African unity rang out across Meskel Square in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, with over 300,000 participating in the musical and cultural revolution. This year, the salubrious shores of James Bond Beach in Oraccabessa will witness a historic gathering come Saturday, February 23, with the historic Jamaican staging of Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite.
The combined show will offer a rare - in fact unprecedented - opportunity to see the current generation of the Marleys all on stage at the same time, each of whom has established – to varying degrees – a viable career in his own right. Stephen, fresh from his success at the Grammy awards, has added solo artiste to his portfolio of producer; Damian Jr. Gong Marley has also made 
the trip to the Grammy podium, for his Welcome to Jamrock album (co-produced by Stephen), and has scaled the heights of the Billboard charts, and toured with the likes of U2; Ziggy, whose latest CD, Love Is My Religion, and who has collaborated with leading-edge artistes from around the world, as Julian; Ky-Mani having established himself as a dual threat – actor and singer - focused on his music in 2007. His first album in five years, Radio, and the lead single One Time, returned Ky-Mani to the Billboard charts.
Also taking the stage for the historic event are The Melody Makers (the Marley sisters Cedella and Sharon), Black Uhuru, Rasta talents Capleton, Tarrus Riley, Richie Spice, Spragga Benz, Lutan Fyah, Coco Tea and Alborosie; African Queens Etana and Queen Ifrica; musicians Dean Fraser and Ernie Ranglin, new comer Javaughn and sound systems Stone Love and Gully Bank. Adding diversity to programme are dub poet-commentator Mutabaruka, and Barbadian pop songstress, Rihanna, herself a winner at the Grammys for her smash, Umbrella (featuring Jay-Z).
Already, much is being done, within and outside the ambit of the organizers, to make all ready for the never-before gathering of Marleys on a Jamaican stage. Work continues apace on the much-anticipated eastern leg of Highway 2000. Booths are being erected on the event grounds, as are the performing and control facilities (audio and video media, on-site administration, etc)
But the Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite concert is far more than a one-time event or a temporary injection of funds. The concert makes direct and indirect economic contribution to the environs of the event area and the town of Oraccabessa. The event draws visitors and participants from around the world, bringing welcome capital to the area and by extension, to the country. Not to mention the veritable cast of thousands involved in the actual staging of the event.
Beyond economics, the 2008 staging of Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite at James Bond Beach has added cultural significance. The venue is part of the holdings of Island Records founder and impresario Chris Blackwell, who was instrumental in bringing the music and message – particularly the message of African unity – to a wide international audience. Millions around the globe have come to be inspired by the Marley ethos, first through their exposure to 'The Gong' and subsequently through the work of his children, and their numbers continue to grow daily. The Marley message has inspired freedom fighters in the former Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Israeli soldiers, aboriginals in Australia, New Zealand and the Oceanic states of the Pacific, Native American tribes, lawyers, doctors, stockbrokers and professionals of all stripes. Thousands of those devotees will converge on James Bond Beach for this unique combination of two remarkable concert events.
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