Shacia Päyne Marley and Juanita Richards let the good vibrations flow
Shacia Päyne Marley is many things. A DJ, cultural curator and producer. Granddaughter of Bob Marley. Daughter of Stephen Marley. And an inspirational mother to her children. Photographer Juanita Richards spent time with this Miami-based talent whilst she was pregnant to capture this special time in her life – on her home turf, in her own terms. And these intimate visual portraits are the fruits of their day spent together, shooting in synergy from day into dusk.
“Shacia moves through life like the powerhouse she is, always creating, always in motion, deeply centred in her own rhythm. Her energy is radiant, calm but commanding, and instantly grounding,” Richards tells us. “From the second I stepped into her space, she wasn’t just the subject, she was a collaborator. We raided her closet to pull out whatever brought joy and then just let trust shape the pictures. You can feel the warmth in her gestures, the spark in her presence. She’s playful and generous, while holding a centred authority that needs no announcement.”
“Payne is the part of me that dances without thinking, listens without rules, and feels without apology"
All the while, Päyne Marley soundtracked their process with songs that reflected her mood, memories and this co-creative moment. And now, she offers up a playlist for NATAAL reflecting the way that “music lives in her lineage, but she carries it in her own way,” Richards adds. “It’s a chance for to step into the sounds that matter to her.”
We invite you to enjoy the ride as we learn more about Shacia Päyne Marley.
In your own words, who is Shacia Päyne Marley?
Before anything else, I am a mother, a sister, a wife and a daughter. I carry many roles, many responsibilities. My life is rooted in care, family and presence. those duties shape how I move through the world and how I hold space for others.
And then… there’s Shacia Päyne. SP is my alter ego. She’s my inner child, my release, my freedom. She’s where instinct lives. Where play, rebellion, sensuality and sound meet. Payne is the part of me that dances without thinking, listens without rules, and feels without apology.
As a DJ, cultural curator and producer, Päyne is the energy I tap into when I step behind the decks. She allows me to move beyond and into intuition. My sound flows between dancehall, dub, R&B, hip hop, Afro-diasporic rhythms and underground textures. I play with music not as genres, but as emotions. I play to create space to feel, to remember, to let go.
“I play with music not as genres, but as emotions. I play to create space to feel, to remember, to let go"
What shapes your journey?
My life and work are shaped by Caribbean roots and a global perspective, by honouring legacy while creating something new, and by embracing both femininity and authority in DJ culture. My creativity moves with my life, sometimes that means late-night dancefloors, sometimes it means lullaby remixes.
I represent the third generation of the Marley family. I carry deep respect for what came before me, and I see my role, along with many of the women in my family, as adding new layers to that story. We’re stepping into visibility in our own ways, balancing motherhood, creativity and leadership while allowing the legacy to expand through a feminine lens. For me, Päyne is the connection, the space where duty softens into freedom. Where legacy becomes personal. And where sound turns into feeling.
Tell us about your current projects.
Right now, I’m focused on bringing a few deeply personal projects to life new and old. My Miami club night Boasty is entering a new chapter with a residency in Las Vegas, launching at On The Record on my grandfather’s birthday, a moment that feels both symbolic and full-circle. Boasty has always been about energy, movement and culture, and this residency is about creating something that feels alive, rooted, and unapologetically Afro-Caribbean.
I’m also bringing Jigi & Jinx to life with my cousin Zuri Marley – a space for DJing, dancing, freestyling and simply being ourselves. And then there’s Constance Bubble, my first baby, a women-centred brand rooted in soundsystem culture and lifestyle, returning with purpose as a mission and a movement.
You’ll definitely be hearing Shacia Päyne productions this year. Music moves me and I wanna share what moves me when I put sounds together.
What’s on your playlist for NATAAL?
The first song, ‘Family First’ by Chronixx sets the tone because it will always be family first. This is a clean, fun playlist I can cook to, move to and dance around the house with my boys. This might not be the order that it’d play from while DJing but the vibe stays the same. It’s rooted in reggae and soca energy – uplifting, rhythmic and full of life. Music that feels good in the body and the home, and still carries culture.
Visit Shacia Päyne Marley
Photography Juanita Richards
Published on 10/03/2026