Were he alive, Robert Nesta Marley would have turned 62 Tuesday.

Tonight's Bob Fest 2007 at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park is the fourth annual such tribute to a legendary musician who, a quarter-century after his passing, remains reggae's most popular and iconic superstar, bar none. Headlining live music on three stages at Bob Fest are multi-Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&B queen Lauryn Hill, Jamaican dancehall pioneer Capleton and the Big Island's own alt-reggae/rock-fueled trio Pepper.

Also on board for Bob Fest: Dawn Penn, O-Shen, Ooklah the Moc, Kawao, Red Degree, T.H.C., Most High, Black Square and other local favorites. A fourth all-DJ, all hip-hop stage will be guided by the Stone Groove Family turntablist collective.

We spoke to Capleton and Pepper drummer Yesod Williams — from their homes in Kingston, Jamaica, and San Diego, Calif., respectively — about what continues to move them about Marley's music and what currently moves them musically.

DANCEHALL PIONEER CAPLETON SHARES THE LOVE FRO MARLEY

You accept invitations to many Bob Marley tribute festivals. Why the love?

Bob Marley is a pioneer who paved the way. In terms of the message and the whole uplifting of Rastafari and in terms of the "fire," he gave us the strength and the glory and the honor to really embrace such energy. Bob Marley's message is loud and substantial, and that's what people really need out there today on the Earth in terms of upliftment.

Why do you think Marley's music remains beloved by generations who weren't even born when he was alive?

Because the music is all about love. The music is all about upliftment. The music is all about salvation, restoration, liberation. This is music that really purifies the mind of the people. It soothes the mind of the people. Systematically, the music is really the voice of the people. The people have been oppressed and suppressed by the system. So this is the music that speaks for the less fortunate.

How would you describe your reggae and dancehall to the uninitiated?

The music is "fire." It's straight "fire." It's wide. It's the music of different eras. You have dance and the reality side of music. In terms of the message, the message is strong (but) still lets people party and have fun (with it).

You have albums titled "More Fire" and "Reign of Fire." Fire is also a large part of your lyrics. What is your lyrical fascination with "fire" all about?

The fire comes through the Earth. I remember Bob Marley said ... "Catch a fire." The fire is really true to music. It's not a military term, you understand? The fire comes through Earth. It comes through sound. It comes through the music. It even comes through the energy of my performance, igniting the crowd and the stage.

So the concept of "fire" in your music is positive.

Yeah, definitely. Fire is all about not stooping to corruption. The fire is all about unity. The fire burns out disunity. The fire burns injustice, inequality. ... The fire is all about self-esteem. The fire is all about self-awareness, self-reliance ... diligence, humility, tolerance.

What's your take on the recent popularity of reggaeton music, which blends elements of Jamaican reggae and dancehall with Latin sounds?

Well, we know our music has influenced all the music out there on the Earth. If one emulates the music in terms of the message and the vibe, then it's all good. ... There will always be new experiments in terms of sound and melody and the ideology of the music. In terms of the emulation, we give thanks. We know that there's a lot of music that really gains a lot of strength from our music. So we give thanks to that. ... It's music! As long as it's reaching the people and the people understand what's going on ... as long as it's there to help people and motivate the people in terms of themselves and their culture, then it's all good. It's all good.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.