Role Models & Lifestyle: Rita Marley

"I talk to Bob. Everyday, everyday!" says Rita Marley

1. If I was on your doorstep right now, where would you take me?
To Africa! Because my roots are in Africa. I’m now in Ghana. But I’d also like to take you to Ethiopia.
2. What cd would you bring along?
I have no choice. Bob Marley. Which cd? All of them!
3. Who else would you invite?
My band the I Trees. We’re still singing together. We don’t change.
4. Who or what makes you laugh most?
I don’t laugh about everything that’s funny. Sometimes I don’t find jokes funny. It has to be a very good one. I like to laugh when I’m entertained or when I watch a good comedy. But I’m not a laugher.   
5. When was the last time you cried and why?
You know what Bob Marley said: "No woman no cry". Crying makes me even more sad, so I don’t want to cry. If I can avoid crying, I rather do that.
6. What made you decide to do what you do?
It’s a gift from God. Once you have a gift, you try to use it. Especially if you make a living from it. I know that I’m gifted. I have the gift of music.
7. Being a role model yourself, who is your role model?
God is my greatest role model. God never leaves me. I’m a child of God.
8. What was your first association with the Netherlands?
I love the people, I love the food. You’ve got nice fish here. Your main fish is herring. And, of course, I’m playing in Amsterdam this week, in the club Paradiso.   

9. I am proud of being an African because...
there’s no other identity for me than African. We all try to find our identity, our roots, our background, where we’re coming from. You think about your ancestors, you go back into history... and you know that you’re an African. Who wouldn’t be proud?
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I don’t know. It’s all left to God. As we say in Africa, 'it’s by the grace of God'. So where God wants you to go, you can only go in that direction. I think about it, I meditate about it, I pray about it. And I talk to Bob. Everyday, everyday!  

Listen below to Rita's vision for Africa, accompanied by her version of "Redemption Song" from Bob Marley:

Watch below Rita and Stephen Marley performing with the Black Eyed Peace at LIVE 8:

 
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