The first family of reggae still has the rhythm. But these days, there's a new Marley in the forefront: Stephen Marley, the second son of the late Bob Marley.

As a child, Stephen hung out in the studio and on stage with his famous father. Later, he joined older brother Ziggy in family band the Melody Makers and eventually helped write and produce.

That led to his developing into a sought-after producer for The Fugees and Erykah Badu. He also produced and performed on younger brother Damian's Grammy-winning albums "Halfway Tree" (2001) and "Welcome to Jamrock" (2005).

"He used to pick me up from school," says Damian, 28. "That kind of relationship of the older brother carries over to our music. He brings a strength to it."

The success of "Jamrock" led Stephen, 35, to postpone his first solo album until this spring. The wait has been worth it: "Mind Control" has spent nine weeks atop Billboard's reggae charts; it peaked at No. 35 on the general album chart.

He displays varied influences on the album: There's the traditional reggae-vibed "Chase Dem," hip-hop-flavored "The Traffic Jam" (already an international hit single) and Latin-marinated "Let Her Dance."

Stephen's infectious smile and rich timbre recall his father, too. In concert, he clasps his forehead in thought between verses, does an occasional skip-hop and heartily exclaims "Yeaahh!" after songs.

Just as the elder Marley urged listeners to "release yourself from mental slavery," the son's poppish, horn-infused title track decries corporate propaganda that results in "corruption of your thoughts, destruction of your soul."

Stephen's adeptness at mixing genres and addressing social issues "matches his father's appeal to a diverse and global audience," says Rhona Fox of Caribbean lifestyle magazine "Jamrock."

"Out of all the Marley artists, Stephen is most reminiscent of his iconic father," Fox says.

Stephen's live playlist includes his new songs alongside Bob Marley classics such as "Exodus," "Jammin' " and "Slave Driver," as well as the lesser-known "Reggae on Broadway" and "Iron Lion Zion."

"Our father is our mentor and influences us in music and in life," Stephen says. "In music alone, he left us a book."

On their bus near the end of their recently finished two-month tour, Stephen and Damian laugh when asked about the Marley traffic jam on Billboard's reggae chart. In recent weeks, "Mind Control" has shared a place on the charts with "Forever Bob Marley" and Damian's "Welcome to Jamrock," which has resurged. Also in the top 10: Ziggy's "Love Is My Religion" and "Africa Unite: The Singles Collection" by Bob Marley & The Wailers, which has been on the charts for 79 weeks.

Is this some type of family plan to reboot their reggae dynasty?

"Maybe it's God's plan," Stephen says. "We just hope to enlighten the people in many different ways — socially, spiritually, physically."

Stephen will play Lollapalooza Aug. 4 in Chicago and join the Dave Matthews Band's tour Sept. 25 in Phoenix.

Future projects include finishing new albums for brothers Ky-Mani and Julian, and, eventually, a Marley brothers album.

"Their father opened the door," Fox says, "but here's one family that has not taken that pass for granted."