'I take great pride in the responsibility I was given' — Ami Faku on her Bob Marley posthumous album feature

Before the release of her project, Ami Faku has been taking major strides in the music space.

Latest of her moves has been a feature on Bob Marley & The Wailers' Pan African and Jamaican posthumous album Africa Unite, offering her consoling, soul-stirring rendition of the iconic Redemption Song, which joins a legacy of timeless covers that predate it.

Having collaborated with multiple African artists, the platinum-selling artist was called to immortalise the “Lion fire” of the reggae legend.

“I was not aware of how other people sounded on the album, but I wanted to represent my people back home, which is to sing in Xhosa, and also be able to relate to other people and step out of my comfort zone, which is singing in English. I knew I had to be myself and represent myself to my best potential,” she told TshisaLIVE.

“It feels great to be a part of those who have honoured Bob Marley. He is one of the people that inspire me worldwide, so this has been a great honour and I take great pride in the responsibility I was given.”

Every now and then the song's profound meaning urges listeners to “emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds”, a message inspired by Marcus Garvey's call for mental liberation and empowerment.

Over the years, Redemption Song has been recognised as one of the greatest works of Marley, resonating with audiences worldwide and earning its place in Rolling Stone's “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

''A song drops that encapsulates the signs of the time. Redemption Song by Bob Marley can’t be more timely than now. Ami Faku was selected by the Marley family and shines on this timeless song. It’s almost spiritual and preordained that Ami Faku's voice and energy lies beside Bob Marley's iconic voice,'' said Benza, chief opportunity creator & culture investor at Vth Season.