Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley, is a Jamaican reggae artist. Damian is the youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley. Damian was 2 years old when his father died; he is the only child born to Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976. Damian's nickname Junior Gong is derived from his father's nickname of Tuff Gong. Damian has been performing since the age of 13...
NationalityJamaican
ProfessionReggae Singer
Date of Birth21 July 1978
CityKingston, Jamaica
CountryJamaica
I record all night and sleep all day. It started because you're excited about the music and you want to stay up longer, but over 15 years, it's become a habit. In my circle, I think a lot of musicians operate like this. When the place is quiet, you're more creative. I have plenty of people I can call at 4 A.M. and know they'll be up.
Jamaica full of ghetto, but boy, I tell you: me never see it like that.
I can remember the first time I ever recorded my vocals on to a beat. Cat Coore from Third World - a legendary Jamaican band - had a little demo set up at his house. I'm very good friends with his eldest son, Shiah, who plays with me now. So we were rhyming over a track by the dancehall artist Peter Metro. I've still got it somewhere.
The whole world is set up so that for places like Switzerland to exist, that are crime-free and with the best care for everybody, you have to have places like Sudan, or Jamaica. But really, there's enough to share, when you check it. It's not that complicated, really. It's probably less thinking and more feeling that's required.
Toasting is basically what you call rapping. It came off of playing the beats at the parties, however it be. You find a space in the beat, and you have somebody live just basically saying rhymes over the beat.
Body have to physically strong and sturdy. Spiritually balanced fi clean and purge me. Mentally advanced fi always urge me. Read a couple books and challenge the clergy. Read a couple psalms up in the morning early.
I would never say that being Bob Marley's son has been a pressure. It has been a door opener.
I like singing all songs, really, but I find that writing social commentary comes naturally.
Music is not like sports, where you can go and do a hundred reps in a gym and come out and be all buffed up.
I love hip-hop music, ... It's rebel music is how I like to speak about it. Hip-hop and reggae come from the same community as far as class...they both come from the bottom of society.
The U.K. crowds always have a lot of energy, and I've done some milestone shows there that I'm very proud of.
I record all night and sleep all day.
Politicians need to stop the violence because it has become a way of life in Jamaica. It's the thing to do - be violent in Jamaica.
Music is an expression of what's inside of you. And that's how I make music.