WILMINGTON, DE — In a heartfelt homage to one of its most renowned families, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki awarded Stephen Marley, an eight-time Grammy Award-winning reggae artist, the Key to the City on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The ceremony, steeped in emotion and community spirit, marked a return to his birthplace for Marley, who has spent the past five decades building upon the musical legacy of his father, the legendary Bob Marley.
Stephen Marley, born in Wilmington 51 years ago, is the second-eldest son of Bob Marley, a figure synonymous with reggae music’s global reach and impact. The Marley family’s roots in Wilmington run deep, dating back to when Stephen’s grandmother, Cedella Marley, moved from Jamaica in 1962. The city’s connection to the Marleys was further cemented in April 2014, when the Tatnall Playground — a site of childhood memories for Stephen and his siblings — was rededicated as “One Love Park.”
During the ceremony, Mayor Purzycki highlighted the significance of community and the collective embrace of the Marley family. “When you see everybody here at this event, there is a depth of feeling that reminds us what community is all about,” Purzycki said, acknowledging the broad and diverse gathering that came to celebrate Stephen Marley’s contributions to music and the enduring legacy of the Marley family in Wilmington.
Stephen Marley’s emotional response to receiving the Key to the City underscored his deep ties to the city. “Wilmington [is] home. I have fond memories of running across the street to the park and my father…I have fond memories here and thank you,” Marley expressed, his words resonating with the assembled crowd of over a hundred friends, relatives, and neighbors.
The ceremony was not merely a nostalgic trip down memory lane but also a recognition of the Marley family’s ongoing influence on Wilmington’s cultural landscape. The city’s pride in its connection to the Marleys was palpable, with Mayor Purzycki affirming, “Wilmington holds them in our collective heart.”
Attended by notable figures such as Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, and a host of Marley’s family members and community residents, the event was a vivid illustration of the strong bonds between the Marley family and the city of Wilmington.
Stephen Marley’s visit to Wilmington, part of a North American tour with his brother Damian Marley, highlighted the enduring legacy of Bob Marley and the profound impact of the Marley family on both the world of music and the communities they touch. As the city continues to cherish its ties to the Marleys, the Key to the City ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to unite people across generations and geographies.
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