DAMIAN 'JUNIOR Gong' Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, is growing up at a time when there are several offshoots of roots reggae which drive today's generation.
So while he has the inheritance of a firm reggae foundation, he hangs easily on the branches of dancehall and hip hop and throws everything into one melting pot, creating a musical stew which is delectable.
You wouldn't label him a dancehall artiste, because most of his songs are done on beats which his father 'The Gong' would have been comfortable with. Yet his 'toasting' style ranks well among his peers and his lyrical expressions are hip and contemporary, though in line with the philosophies which characterise musical Marley.
Damian has a big album coming out, entitled Half-Way Tree. It will be his first album released since his 1996 effort.
It is being produced by his gifted older brother and member of the Melody Makers, Stephen Marley. There are two songs from the 15-track set remaining to be mixed then the gates will fly for Marley's youngest son.
He's going out there with a cadre of support from experienced performers. Appearing on Half-Way Tree are Bunny Wailer, Bounty Killer, Eve, Mr. Cheeks from the Lost Boys, Drag On, Jimmy Cozier, Treach from Naughty By Nature and Yami Bolo. Will he be able to live up to the precedence set by his exemplary peers?
"It is more of a motivation than a pressure for me to be appearing with these successful artistes. I know I will be able to rise to the challenge and take this album where it ought to go once it hits the streets," he said.
Most of the guest artistes on the album weren't in the original plan, as Steve explains: "Most of them were just passing through the studio at one time or another and heard the project and decided they had to be a part of it. We are really grateful for the love and respect they have shown by wanting to be a part of what we do."
At 22 years old, Damian has pretty much made up his mind about what he wants to do in life.
"Music is omnipresent and will always be. It is the base of what my life is about, but there is also the humanitarian work and social development on which a lot of my efforts will be concentrated," he explained.
Andrew Clunis
