Monday, January 11, 2010

Video Of The Week: Damian Marley

Sure, you could call him by his complete name, Damian Robert Nesta Marley or by his nickname ''Junior Gong'', and you could insinuate that without his father's successful career, his might be a bit less bright. You would, of course, be wrong.

He is the only Jamaican reggae artist to receive two trophies on the same night, a feat he achieved in 2006 (he had another one in 2002), surpassing his father, Bob, his father's numerous collaborators (from Peter Tosh to Bunny Wailer to Lee 'Scratch' Perry), his famous brothers Ziggy, Stephen and Ky-Mani -as well as the many dancehall artists who've made it to the U.S. airwaves in the past two decades.

Unlike his brothers, whose style resemble that of their father, Damian's approach is closer to 'toasting', a style closer to American rap. Like them, however, his lyrics more often than not deal with poverty, human rights and helping those in need.

This song here, 'Move!', from 2005's record-setting 'Welcome To Jamrock', incorporates Bob Marley's 'Exodus' in the chorus; if anyone's allowed to cover their dad, it's the kids. Either way, though: a good song's a good song, and this one would have been one even without the wink.


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