Who doesn’t love Bob Marley?

Mitchelle “Arijahknow Live Wires” Trott was so sure of the answer that he asked a bunch of his musical relatives to join him for a concert he wanted to put on with his crew, Reggae Defenders.

Easy Skankin’: Marley’s Magical Tribute takes place on Friday with performances by Arijahknow Live Wires, Rivah, Joy Barnum, Ramon Clarke and others. Black Lion International and Prophecy International will provide the music.

Marley, who died in 1981 at the age of 36, would have turned 79 next week.

“February is Reggae Month in Jamaica and Bob Marley's birthday is February 6 and they celebrate it worldwide. Usually people celebrate it on his birthday, but it's a little difficult to get people to come out on a Tuesday,” said Trott.

In 2017 he performed Gombey Warrior, a hit from his first studio album, Reggae Highway, before an enthusiastic crowd at the opening of the America’s Cup.

“Ever since then things have been going very well for me musically locally and internationally.”

For three consecutive years he was invited to perform at Marley’s home in Jamaica as part of a birthday tribute.

The invitation came from Marley’s sons, Damian and Stephen, through their official tour DJ, Rassarella.

On more than one occasion Trott joined them for Jamrock, a reggae cruise from Florida to Jamaica. The most recent was in 2022, when he was Rassarella’s guest.

“That’s what’s happening for me. I’m getting traction because of my song, Reggae Highway. [Rassarella] was the co-producer along with Noreco Burgess, from out of Bermuda. That’s how I met Rassarella, through Noreco Burgess.”

The idea struck him that as Bermuda doesn’t celebrate Reggae Month he should.

“Bob Marley is internationally known, probably intergalactically known if there’s anything out there. He’s the most popular person in the world next to Haile Selassie, and Jesus Christ.

“Everyone loves to go to a Bob Marley tribute. But most times, they just have a DJ playing and they play Bob Marley all night.

“We’re not doing that. We're going to be giving tribute to Bob Marley with Bob Marley songs, with these vocalists and these two sound systems.”

Deciding who should join him on stage was easy.

“I'm related to all of them in some way. And I've been performing with every one of them for more than 20 years,” he said.

“Every one of us that are performing there have performed on the international stage. Desta Zion was in Westminster Abbey representing the whole Commonwealth.

“He’s from Bermuda and they elected him to wear a tuxedo and perform Bob Marley songs. I was so proud of him.

“It was all international people, all international musicians but they elected this Bermuda to be the star and centre of attraction because he’s an amazing vocalist and guitarist.”

The name Reggae Defenders came about because there were too many people “using the culture for money”.

“Reggae was created by people who were suffering, but came together in solidarity so they could make it through.

“Just like the blues were created because of the things people were going through, that's how reggae came about.

“It’s not just about smoking weed and bobbing, it’s a spiritual thing.

“It’s tied to Rastafari and Rastafari don’t come with war, they come with peace and love, unity and solidarity. And that’s what Bob Marley [was about].

“And for us, I think we’re supposed to continue to try to spread love and unity,” he said.

The state of the world shows how much that is needed, he added.

Switch on the television news and there’s lots of talk about war and disease but never about people helping each other.

“We never see someone feeding someone, someone helping someone cross the street. They’re simple things.

“The simple things are the blessings. The smallest things are the blessings. You’ve got a BMW, you’ve got a big house, how much time do you spend with your child?

“That’s a gift from God – life. This is the message from Bob Marley.”

Although decades have passed since Marley died, younger generations are interested in his music because the message continues to ring true, Trott said.

“I think the truth is everlasting and that’s the reason why his music is everlasting. We know that we need to come together.

“That’s the only way it’s gonna work. When we’re divided, that’s when we become conquered. So solidarity, unity, love – this is what’s needed in the world.”

•Easy Skankin’: Marley’s Magical Tribute takes place on Friday from 8pm until 2am at Uplift, on the corner of Front Street and King Street. Admission is $30. For more information: arijahknow@gmail.com or WhatsApp 518-2769