Ziggy Marley announces BRIGHT SIDE album

Ziggy Marley’s “Brightside” is not a same-day surprise announcement. The album was formally announced on February 5, 2026, on Marley’s official website alongside the release of “Many Mourn For Bob,” a song he described as a tribute to his father, Bob Marley. Official release materials describe “Brightside” as Marley’s ninth solo studio album and his first proper solo studio record in eight years. The project first arrived as a vinyl release for Record Store Day on April 18, then received a wide digital release on May 1. ### When was “Brightside” actually announced? February 5, 2026, is the date attached to Marley’s official announcement post. That post said “Brightside” would be released exclusively on vinyl on April 18 at independent record stores as part of Record Store Day, with a wider digital release to follow on May 1. Reggaeville, which reposted the announcement as a press item, carried the same timetable. (ziggymarley.com) Social posts circulating on June 3 appear to be amplifying a release that was already public and already on the market digitally by early May, rather than marking the first disclosure of the album. Yahoo’s recent interview with Marley also referred to “Brightside” as his first proper solo album in eight years, matching the official framing. ### What is Ziggy Marley saying about the album? (ziggymarley.com) Ziggy Marley said on his official album page that the record took shape through a different creative process than his earlier work. The same page says the songs were co-produced by Marley and his brother Stephen Marley and recorded at Rebel Lion Studio in Los Angeles. Marley said the material took on an introspective character as he responded to events in the world, adding that the music “became my therapy.” (yahoo.com) “Many Mourn For Bob” was presented by Marley as the first original song in his career written specifically about his father. The February announcement said the track grew out of his work on the 2024 biographical film “Bob Marley: One Love,” which prompted renewed reflection on his father’s life and legacy. (ziggymarley.com) ### What is on the record? The official “Brightside” page lists eight core tracks: “JAH We Give Glory,” “Racism Is A Killa,” “Hey People Now,” “Why Let The World,” “Many Mourn For Bob,” “Sweet Divine,” “Make It Paradise,” and the title track “Brightside.” The same page lists guest appearances from Nikka Costa, Trombone Shorty, Sheila E. and Jake Shimabukuro. Apple Music lists a nine-song digital edition released on May 1, 2026. (ziggymarley.com) Separate coverage from The Urban Music Scene said Big Boi appears on a digital version of “Racism Is A Killa,” which helps explain the longer digital track count compared with the core album page. ### Why are people calling it his first album in eight years? Yahoo described “Brightside” as Marley’s first proper solo studio album in eight years, a gap that traces back to “Rebellion Rises” in 2018. (ziggymarley.com) In the years between, Marley remained active through other projects, including the 2022 family set “Cornerstone” and work tied to the Bob Marley film, but official and media descriptions have treated “Brightside” as the return of his main solo studio line. (music.apple.com) DancehallMag also identified “Brightside” as Marley’s ninth solo studio album, reinforcing the way the release is being positioned in his catalog. ### Where can listeners find it now? “Brightside” is already live on Marley’s official site and on major digital platforms. The official album page includes the track list and production notes, while Apple Music shows the digital edition released on May 1, 2026. (yahoo.com) Recent coverage has also tied the album to a broader campaign that includes touring. Reggae Reflection reported last week that Marley had announced a “Brightside Tour” after the digital release. (dancehallmag.com) (reggaereflection.com) (ziggymarley.com)