The 9 Mile Music Festival, also known as the Bob Marley Festival, Bob Fest, Marley Fest and Caribbean Festival, is an annual music event which began in 1993 in

Miami Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...

. 9 Mile was pioneered by

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981; baptised in 1980 as Berhane Selassie) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements o ...

's mother, Cedella Marley Booker, to pay tribute to the legacy of her late son, and his messages of peace, love and unity. The festival maintains a tradition of collecting canned goods upon admission, to continue efforts to give back to the community. Donations go towards feeding the less fortunate in South Florida and the Caribbean. Over 2 million cans have been donated over the years.

The festival

The one-day

music festival A music festival is a community event with performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a theme such as musical genre (e.g., rock, blues, folk, jazz, classical music), nationality, locality of musicians, or h ...

has taken place every year since 1993, except 2020-21. The festival is largely focused on

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

, but also incorporates other music genres like

dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

, hip hop,

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

and R&B. Bob Marley's children Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley,

Ky-mani Marley Ky-Mani Marley (born 26 February 1976) is a Jamaican singer and musician. His name is of East African origin, and means "Adventurous Traveler". He is the only child of Bob Marley with Anita Belnavis, a Jamaican table tennis champion. In 2001 ...

and Damian Marley have performed at many of the editions. Other performers have included

Carlos Santana Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán (; born July 20, 1947) is an American guitarist who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, which pioneered a fusion of Rock and roll and Latin American jazz. Its sound featured ...

, Lauryn Hill, Hootie & the Blowfish, Erykah Badu, Burning Spear, Buju Banton, Sizzla Kalonji, Capleton,

Pitbull Pit bull is a term used in the United States for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers, while in other countries such as the United Kingdom the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The term was f ...

2 Chainz Tauheed K. Epps (born September 12, 1977), known professionally as 2 Chainz (or Tity Boi), is an American rapper. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, he initially gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip hop duo Playaz Circle, al ...

Future The future is the time after the past and present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently ...

, T.I.,

Tarrus Riley Omar "Tarrus" Riley (born April 26, 1979, Bronx, New York, United States) is a Jamaican-American reggae singer and member of the Rastafari movement.Kenner, Rob (2009)Reggae Singer With a Legacy, a Following and a Mission. ''New York Times''. 21 ...

, Konshens,

Machel Montano Machel Jesus Montano (born 24 November 1974)Thompson, Dave (2002), ''Reggae & Soca Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 300–301. is a Trinidadian soca singer, actor, record producer and songwriter. Known for his high energy, fast-paced, and often unp ...

, Diana King, SOJA,

Slightly Stoopid Slightly Stoopid is an American band based in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California, who describe their music as "a fusion of folk, rock, reggae and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk." As a band, they have released thirt ...

Thievery Corporation Thievery Corporation is an American electronic music duo consisting of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton. Their musical style mixes elements of dub, acid jazz, reggae, Indian classical, Middle Eastern music, hip hop and Brazilian music, including bo ...

Sean Paul Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques OD (born 9 January 1973) is a Jamaican rapper and singer who is regarded as one of dancehall's most prolific artists. Paul's singles "Get Busy" and "Temperature" topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in the ...

Shaggy Shaggy may refer to: People *Shaggy (musician) (born 1968), Jamaican American reggae rapper and singer *Shaggy 2 Dope, half of the hip hop, horrorcore band Insane Clown Posse *Shaggy Flores (born 1973), Nuyorican poet, writer and African diaspora ...

, Mavado,

DMX Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. He began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album ''It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'' in 1998, to both critical acclaim ...

, India Arie, Inner Circle and

Major Lazer Major Lazer is an American electronic dance music DJ trio, which includes record producer Diplo, and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums. It originates from Kingston, Jamaica, and was founded in 2008 by Diplo and Switch, with Switch leaving after t ...

. The festival offers an array of booths for artist merchandise, local vendors and academics to share their goods and services. Booths offer food and drinks from may different cultures including Jamaican, Chinese, Spanish and American food as well as a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The 24th Annual 9 Mile Music Festival had showcased a holistic village which featured various booths for acupuncture, massages, yoga, body painting and a drum circle on the beach. Nutritionists and life coaches will be offering advice and services for those interested. No festivals were held in 2020-21.

History

Conceived and created in 1993 by Cedella Marley Booker, the mother of Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist

, the festival has been held every year since. The festival is organized by 9 Mile Entertainment, a business run by Cedella Marley Booker's son Richard Booker. The 9 Mile Music Festival was envisioned by Cedella and Richard to serve the Bob Marley and the Waliers Fan Club in honor Bob Marley's memory in song and philanthropy. The spirit of the festival is that by working together people can make big differences in helping their communities. As part of the entrance fee, attendees bring four canned goods on the day of the event – or make a financial donation as part of the admission to the event. The donations are collected and distributed to charities to help feed the needy in the Miami area. The festival became known early on as the Marley Fest because of its founder and the inspiration drawn from Cedella's late son with Bob Marley's sons performing each year. The festival has gone through a series of name changes. These include the Bob Marley Festival, Marley Fest and The Caribbean Festival. In 2011, the festival was rebranded as the 9 Mile Music Festival. The name derives from Nine Mile, a village in Saint Ann Parish,

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

where Bob Marley was born, began his musical career and found inspiration for many of his songs. Nine Mile is home to the Bob Marley Mausoleum, which showcases many of his awards, guitars and photographs. It has become a tourist attraction in Jamaica and is also the place where both Cedella and Richard Booker are buried. This festival went on hiatus in 2020-21.

Charity

In honor of Bob Marley's philanthropic efforts during his lifetime, the Festival, in coordination with Cedella Marley Booker's philanthropic organization, Movement of Jah People, collects four canned goods or financial donations from every attendee as part of admission. The events have collected more than three million canned goods in its 22 years. Goods are donated to local and international charities and shelters in South Florida and Jamaica.

2011 lineup

* Date: March 12, 2011 * Venue:

Bayfront Park Bayfront Park is a public, urban park in Downtown Miami, Florida on Biscayne Bay. The Chairman to the trust is Ary Shaeban. Located in the park is a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus sculpted by Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo of Verona, one ...

* Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley,

Ky-Mani Marley Ky-Mani Marley (born 26 February 1976) is a Jamaican singer and musician. His name is of East African origin, and means "Adventurous Traveler". He is the only child of Bob Marley with Anita Belnavis, a Jamaican table tennis champion. In 2001 ...

, Christopher Ellis,

, Inner Circle,

, DJ Mala, DJ Hatcha & DJ Juan Basshead.

2012 lineup

* Date: March 3, 2012 * Venue: Virginia Key Beach Park * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley,

Capelton Clifton George Bailey III (born 13 April 1967),Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 67–69 better known by his stage name Capleton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is also referred to as Kin ...

, Burning Spear,

Wale Wale or WALE may refer to: Places *Wale, Devon, a hamlet in England *Wale, Tomaszów Mazowiecki County, a village in Poland People *Wale (surname) *Wale (rapper), stage name of American rapper Olubowale Victor Akintimehin Radio and television ...

Richie Spice Richell Bonner (born 8 September 1971), better known as Richie Spice, is a Jamaican reggae artist. He is a member of the Rastafari movement. Some of his most famous songs include, "Brown Skin", "Youth Dem Cold Rel Bad", "Grooving' My Girl", "Ear ...

Melanie Fiona Melanie Fiona Hallim (born July 4, 1983) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.Collie Buddz Colin Patrick Harper (born August 21, 1981), better known by his stage name Collie Buddz, is a Bermudian reggae artist best known for his single "Come Around". Career Although Harper was born in New Dadyal Hospital, AJK. He studied audio enginee ...

& Cocoa Tea.

2013 lineup

* Date: March 2, 2013 * Venue: Virginia Key Beach Park * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley,

, Mavado, 2 Chains &

2014 lineup

* Date: February 15, 2014 * Venue: Miami Dade County Fair & Expo Center * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley,

, Lauryn Hill, Mavado, Ken Y, Chronixx, Mavado, Alika & Nueva Alianza.

2015 lineup

* Date: February 14, 2015 * Venue: Dade County Fairgrounds * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Tanya Stephens, The Green, Capleton,

Jo Mersa Marley Joseph "Jo Mersa" Marley (born March 12, 1991 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican American reggae artist. He is a son of Stephen Marley and grandson of reggae musician Bob Marley. Personal life Marley spent his early years in Jamaica, where he ...

, SOJA and

Jesse Royal Jesse Te Ahukaramu Royal (born 22 March 1980) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who currently plays for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in the Newcastle Rugby League. He has previously played in the NRL for the Newcastle Knigh ...

2016 lineup

* Date: February 27, 2016 * Venue: Virginia Key Beach Park * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Skip Marley,

Nas Nas (born 1973) is the stage name of American rapper Nasir Jones. Nas, NaS, or NAS may also refer to: Aviation * Nasair, a low-cost airline carrier and subsidiary based in Eritrea * National Air Services, an airline in Saudi Arabia ** Nas Air ( ...

, Capleton, Konshens,

Mr. Cheeks Terrance Kelly (born March 28, 1971), known professionally as Mr. Cheeks, is an American rapper best known for his work with the musical group Lost Boyz, and as a solo artist with the single "Lights, Camera, Action!". Biography 1991–2019: L ...

, Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid, Styleon,

K CAMP Kristopher Thomas Campbell (born April 27, 1990), better known by his stage name K Camp (stylized as K CAMP), is an American rapper from Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the ...

, Locos Por Juana and Shacia Marley."http://www.vibe.com/2016/01/nas-marley-9mile-festival-miami/"

2017 lineup

* Date: March 11, 2017 * Venue: Virginia Key Beach Park * Lineup: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Capleton,

, Charly Black, Sizzla,

Matamba The Kingdom of Matamba (1631–1744) was an African state located in what is now the Baixa de Cassange region of Malanje Province of modern-day Angola. It was a powerful kingdom that long resisted Portuguese colonisation attempts and was only in ...

, Kreesha Turner, DJ Jahstream, DJ Mighty Crown & Lance-O of Kulcha Shok.

2019 lineup

* Date: March 9, 2019 * Venue: Virginia Key Beach Park * Lineup:

, Shabba Ranks, Sizzla, Busy Signal, Capleton,

Spice A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spices a ...

, Barrington Levy & DJ Mighty Crown

References

Bob Marley's mother dies
Music-news.com
Bob Marley's Family Settles Trademark Lawsuit With Singer's Half-Brother

9 Mile Music Festival
{Dead link, date=May 2019 , bot=InternetArchiveBot , fix-attempted=yes Reggae Vibe
Nine Mile Music Festival's 2014 Lineup: Lauryn Hill, Three Marleys, Five Others
Miami New Times

SouthFlorida.com

External links

9 Mile Music Festival official site
Music festivals in Miami Reggae festivals in the United States 1993 establishments in Florida Music festivals established in 1993