Damian Marley is set to rock Nairobi for a once-in-a-lifetime performance on the 31st of May at the Carnivore Grounds. Reggae music enthusiasts are in for a treat next Wednesday as Bob Marley’s youngest son, Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley is set to bring the house down in one of the most anticipated events in Kenya. The two-time grammy award winning reggae and dancehall artist Damian Marley will be performing live at the ‘Street Fusion 2017’ on the 31st of May at the Carnivore Gardens in Nairobi as part his African Tour which commences in Johannesburg and ends in Ethiopia.
For the first time ever in East Africa; Damian, who has been taking the reggae industry by storm since he was a young boy, will share the stage with featured local artists Wyre ‘The Love Child’, Juacali, Khaligraph Jones as well as feature leading Djs.
Damian Marley really doesn’t need any introduction. Anyone who has been listening to the beautiful music produced and released by the Marley family, knows that the whole clan is just full of greatness. The ‘Turf Gong’ president has his artist voice tackle issues of corruption, love, strife and politics. He has even been described as an artist who rhymes with the conviction of a street preacher with the intellect of a university economist.
From Bob Marley’s stand on the advocacy of social justice, peace and love among everyone, despite their religion, race or financial status, the Marley’s continue the advancement of their father’s legacy and the African Tour has so far surpassed the expectations of their fans.
Last month the 38 year old dancehall artist announced the release of his latest album “Stony Hill” on which he collaborates with his brother Stephen Marley under the family Tuff Gong record label. Damian, the only son born out of Bob Marley and Cindy Breakspeare’s relationship, began his career at the age of 13.
Here are some other facts about the star:
- Damian Robert Nesta Marley, also known as ‘Jr Gong’ was born in 1978 to parents Bob Marley and Cindy Breakspeare – Miss World 1976. He was only 2 years old when his father passed away.
- As the son one of the most iconic artists of all time, Bob Marley, Damian followed closely in his father’s footsteps. He began performing at the age of 13 in a group called “the shepherds” which comprised of Shiah Coore (son of Third World guitarist Cat Coore) and currently a member of his band, Yashema Beth McGreggor, daughter of reggae stars Freddie McGreggor and Judy Mowatt and then began touring with his brothers Ky-Mani, Julian, Stephen and Ziggy.
- Damian’s nickname Junior Gong is derived from his father’s nickname of Tuff Gong.
- His career really kicked off in 1996 when Damian released his first solo album “Mr Marley”, a heavily dancehall influenced album produced by his brother Stephen Marley. His second album “Halfway Tree” which was released in 2001, won Damian a lot of recognition and remained on the Billboard Top Reggae Album Charts for 158 weeks and earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2002.
- His 2005 album “Welcome To Jamrock” – which is listed in the Rolling Stones Top 100 songs of the decade – remains one of the most celebrated albums in the world with multiple hit-singles surging up the charts including “The Master Has Come Back”, the title track “Welcome To Jamrock, “Roar Fi A Cause”, “Set Up Shop” and “Road To Zion” featuring Nas—which later became the basis for the collaborative album Distant Relatives with Nas.
- Eleven years after his last solo album ‘Welcome To Jamrock’, Damian Marley will release a new album titled STONY HILL which is slated to be released on July 21st 2017. That date also marks Junior Gong’s 39th birthday.
- Last month, he released information about a joint venture with Ocean Grown Extracts to turn a vacant Coalinga California prison into a medical marijuana manufacturing plant which will see Ocean grown provide the substance to dispensaries.
- He has worked with international stars like Gwen Stefani, Sean Paul, Rusko, Cypress Hill, Skrillex and Bruno Mars, and has reached number one in the R&B, reggae and hip hop charts. Due to his ability to blend reggae with other genres like R & B, Hip-hop and dancehall, Damian has been able to work with many artistes including Mick Jagger, Bobby Brown, Bruno Mars and rapper Nas and has successfully presented this universal sound to the world.
- ‘Jr. Gong’ is the only Jamaican reggae artist in history to win two Grammy Awards on the same night. At the 2006 Grammy Awards, he won Best Reggae Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “Welcome to Jamrock.” He is also the only reggae artist to win in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category at the Grammy Awards.
Tickets for the show are available online on Mi-Ticket or via MPESA paybill number 578 888 Regular Acc No 1313 or VIP Acc No 1313B.
Featured image via fanart.tv.
