Vibes flow through Bob Marley Hope Road at Mandalay Bay, those good vibes. And reverberating that love are Bob Marley’s two granddaughters, Shacia Päyne Marley (daughter of Stephen Marley) and Zuri Marley (daughter of Ziggy Marley). The DJ duo kickoff the show inside the first room, Dance Hall, and introduce guests to the world of reggae and Bob Marley. They DJ together and back-to-back, while also switching out who gets on the mic—all of it welcoming guests into the special show experience. “You’re going to get the most authentic reggae experience that you can get in Vegas,” Zuri Marley says. “The space is so amazing and authentic, so we’re just enriching that with full reggae vibes.” Recently, Las Vegas Magazine sat down with the two talented ladies to ask them a few questions, learning in the process that both radiate such good energy and assuredness—qualities every guest will feel when they watch them perform, and qualities that embody the Marley name and legacy.

What is your role at Bob Marley Hope Road?

Shacia Päyne Marley: Our role is representation. Our role is family. Our role is love, togetherness. Our role is making the people feel at home. Hope Road is Bob’s place is Jamaica, where he grew up, where his studio was, where he did all his rehearsals. We’re bringing all that to Las Vegas.

Zuri Marley: We’re like resident DJs. Resident representation for our family. We’re here to bring the people authentic Jamaica.

How did each of you get into DJ’ing?

Shacia: Love of music. There’s too many singers (laughs) in the family. What really gave me my breakthrough was going with my dad for three months on his summer tour. That really changed the way of how I express my energy—it’s about togetherness. I want you to feel my energy. I don’t want anyone sitting down, that’s not what I want. I’m coming to you when I DJ—it’s all about energy, vibrations and a message through dancing.

Zuri: I’ve always loved all kinds of music, especially going to school in New York, there’s so many different scenes there. I was exposed to all of that. While I was in college my friend had this deck, and I was like, “OK, cool what is that?” and she started teaching me and then one of my other friends asked if I could DJ (a party) and I was like, “Um, yeah, but I’ve never done it before.” So, I was like, “Let me just wing it,” and it was so fun and I really blended my Jamaican culture and all my other influences. I do a lot of collab

Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

orations with indie artists, people from the U.K. (and) New York, and bring all cultures together and do it through my lens of DJ’ing.

When it comes to being a performer, what’s the best piece of advice your father gave you?

Shacia: It’s simple: “Know yourself.”

Zuri: My dad always said, “Do you. Don’t listen to outside influences. If you doubt yourself just do you, if you’re different just be different.” And I feel like we represent, both of us, our family in a different way—two girls, DJs. Being yourself, who you are—that’s Marley.

Who are some DJs that influenced you?

Shacia: Stone Love, DJ Puffy from Barbados, he’s mad dope. Black Coffee, he’s Afro house. I would really love to get more into house music.

Zuri: Larry Lavan, he DJ’d at Paradise Garage (in New York). … I don’t play a lot of house but I’m very inspired by that movement, too, from the ’70s and ’80s—such a vibe, loft parties, drag queens, that’s so my inspo.

Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

Your favorite Bob Marley songs?

Shacia: Right now, my morning meditation is “Give Thanks and Praise” from the Confrontation album. My all time is “Time Will Tell.”

Zuri: Of the moment it’s “I Know,” ’cause that is like Bob Marley disco; it’s so cool. Right now, that’s my jam. Then he has his militant songs, which in this time is so important, we need that energy. But all time it’s “Rastaman Chant.”

Why is it so important to carry on your grandfather’s legacy, especially these days?

Zuri: It’s important because, one, Bob is so who he was, and that’s what I’m most inspired by. And if I am who I am, then that’s carrying on that legacy in an amazing way. And that’s rebellion sometimes, being who you are amongst people that want to change you or who are all the same. So being different is such a blessing and I want to inspire people to embrace their differences. Even though we are one, we are individuals and different and that’s OK. Making playlists with my favorite Bob songs that maybe people might not know, or playlists that have to do with things that maybe people don’t want to touch on, politics or rebellion or whatever it is, I like to introduce people to some of his music that could inspire them to make a difference.

Shacia: We have to represent. I feel like the third generation overall is coming out as themselves.

In your free time, what do you like to do?

Shacia: Travel, cook and I have two kids, so I’m changing diapers and potty training. Family time, family means a lot to me. Anywhere, any time we can get together, that’s always important.

Zuri: Of course, spending time with family is always very important. I also like to experience things and go out. My favorite thing so far (in Las Vegas) is seeing RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! I love drag and burlesque, so anywhere I can get closer to that. I make music. I act as well, so going to the theater is one of my favorite things to do—keep theater alive, people!

Mandalay Bay. hoperoad.com

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