Damian Marley

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Damian Marley

Background information
Also known as Junior Gong
Born July 21, 1978
Genre(s) Reggae
Years active 1996 - Present
Label(s) Tuff Gong
Universal Records
Associated
acts		 Bob Marley
Ky-Mani Marley
Ziggy Marley
Stephen Marley
Julian Marley

Damian Marley (born July 21, 1978 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Grammy-winning reggae artist and is the youngest male child (or 'veteran,' as stated in the song "Me Name Jr. Gong") of reggae legend Bob Marley, and the only child born to Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976. Damian's nickname is Junior Gong which is derived from his father's nickname of Tuff Gong. Damian has been performing since the age of 13. He shares with most of the Marley family a full-time career in music. Unlike his brothers and sisters, however, his musical specialty is "DeeJaying," the Jamaican style of "rapping."

Contents

[edit] Albums

As of 2006, he has released three albums. His first, Mr. Marley, was released in 1996, his second, Halfway Tree in 2001, and his third, Welcome To Jamrock in September 2005. Halfway Tree was the 2002 recipient of the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. At the 2006 Grammy Awards, he won Best Reggae Album again for Welcome to Jamrock and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the song "Welcome to Jamrock."

[edit] Tours and guest appearances

In the summer of 2004, Damian participated in the 27-city Bob Marley Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival Tour with his four brothers, Ziggy, Julian, Stephen and Ky-Mani, each of whom have their own professional recording careers.

Damian frequently tours with his brothers Julian and Stephen, who are both members of the Ghetto Youths Crew. In 2004, Damian recorded a song with hip hop group Cypress Hill called 'Ganja Bus' on their album Till Death Do Us Part.

Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley 2006 by Radek
Enlarge
Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley 2006 by Radek

During the summer of 2006, Damian went on tour with musical artist Ben Harper all around the US. He played in many known stages, such as Central Park New York. He was also one of the many Artists who played at the inaugural Osheaga Festival, in Montreal.

In June of 2006, Marley peformed at Bonnaroo Music Festival. In July 2006, Damian should have played at the Danish music festival Roskilde Festival, however he had to cancel due to troubles with customs.[1]

On September 19, 2006 Marley became the first reggae artist to perform for the popular PBS show Austin City Limits.

Damian also participated in Season 3 of Extreme Makeover Home Edition by performing a special concert for the Rainford family, in which the father Dunstin was a Jamaican native.

On November 3, 2006 he performed at University of Miami's homecoming.

On November 11, 2006 he performed at Miami's annual Bang! Music Festival.


[edit] Personal life and beliefs

Like his father before him and the rest of the Marley family, he is a Rastafarian and his music reflects both his beliefs and the Rastafarian guiding principles of one love, one planet, and freedom for all. While he travels and tours the better part of the year, his home base is split between Kingston, Jamaica and Miami, Florida.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US R&B/Hip-Hop US Rap UK Singles Chart
2005 "Welcome to Jamrock" #55 #18 #12 #13 Welcome to Jamrock
2005 "The Master Has Come Back" - - - #74 Welcome to Jamrock
2005 "Road to Zion" (featuring Nas) - #57 - - Welcome to Jamrock
2006 "Beautiful" (featuring Bobby Brown) - - - #39 Welcome to Jamrock
2006 "All Night" (featuring Stephen Marley) - - - #137 Welcome to Jamrock

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/object.php?obj=4c9000f&base=57872774&code=1 Roskilde Festival announcement and explanation of Marley's withdrawal from the festival.

[edit] External links

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