Most of us will never know what it is like to be the progeny of an icon. It could be either good or bad, perhaps resembling a type of euphoric pride or a festering inequality in regard to the parent.
For the Marley children, however, they see their father's success as a starting point from which to detonate their own. If you aren't already familiar with the legendary Bob Marley, perhaps you have heard of his brood. There's Ziggy, Cedella, Sharon and Stephen, who together makeup the Melody Makers, and there's Rohan, Julian and Damian, who, also with Stephen, are known as the Ghetto Youths International. And these are just Bob's musically inclined children.
Damian, the youngest of the Marley clan, was born to Bob Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Jamaica's 1977 Miss World, in 1978. Talk about the best of both worlds! Though Damian was only 2 years old when his father died, he must have gained something from his father's musical aptitude; he has been performing since he can remember. Either that or the Marleys have an incredibly uncommon genetic tendency towards music. Damian Marley, also known as "Junior Gong," started out as a singer for a group called The Shepherds. When the group broke-up, he turned to deejaying, which is essentially equivalent to what we know as rapping.
In 1993, Damian Marley released his solo entrance into the music scene with the track "Deejay Degree" on his father's label, Tuff Gong. He had successive releases in the next three years and was still attending high school when he began working on his album MR. MARLEY. The album, according to a press release, "delivered a fusion of contemporary Reggae grooves and infectious dancehall rhythms alongside tough edged hip-hop beats," and contained several modernizations of his father's music.
Last year, the youngest Marley released his latest album HALFWAY TREE, the first collaboration between Motown Records and Ghetto Youths International. The album features many present-day artists including Treach from Naughty by Nature, Eve from Rough Ryders, Mr. Cheeks from the Lost Boys and an intro recited by original Wailer member, Bunny Wailer.
The album is a versatile compilation of stylistic Reggae and Jamaican-influenced hip-hop, with themes that range from marijuana avocation and racial pride to a recipe for natural Viagra. His songs are laced with the passion that lies within his beliefs and faith. The album also includes a variation to Bob Marley's song "Could You Be Loved," but converts itself with the title "And Be Loved." One of his songs, "Slave Driver," includes the lyrics "I remember on the slave ship / How they brutalized our very soul / Today we are free / Only to live in poverty."
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In another song, "More Justice" Damian Marley speaks out in defense of the legalization of marijuana.
His latest album does not yet earn him the same exaltation that his father has had, but it shows much promise for his future as an artist. One must remember that he is still young, and even his father did not attain success until his later years. Nonetheless, Damian is well on his way to proving himself to the world as more than just one of the descendents of the renowned Bob Marley. With a little experience and perhaps a tinge of luck, he might just exceed everyone's expectations.
Damian Marley and the Ghetto Youth Crew will be performing with DJ Fido tonight at the Sunshine Theatre. For ticket information, visit ticketmaster.com or call 883-7800.
