Damian “Junior Gong” Marley‘s full-length CD drops on Tuesday, September 13 by Tuff Gong/Universal Records. “Welcome to Jamrock,” the CD named after the international smash hit is expected to wow listeners across the globe. According to the young Marley, “a lot of people don’t have material suffering, but spiritual suffering. Welcome To Jamrock is about hope, and there’s still more to share.”
Produced by Stephen Marley, the CD features guest artists Nas, Bobby Brown, Bounty Killer, Eek-A-Mouse, and Black Thought. In addition to the title-track anthem, “Welcome to Jamrock” depicts life through Marley’s eyes, expressing his own thoughts from anti-abortion messages to the evils of crack cocaine. He includes a few love songs as well, most notable is the collaboration with Bobby Brown entitled “Beautiful.” Although Junior Gong built his stellar reputation on his own talent, style, and songwriting, he pays tribute to his father by using the Exodus rhythm on Track 8 (“Move!”) and chats over the Pimper’s Paradise track on number 7 (aptly entitled “Pimpa’s Paradise”).
From the ska-infused “All Night” to the rootsy “Road to Zion” to the hip-hop and R&B influences, this CD should have a broad appeal. Already the video for “Welcome to Jamrock” is in rotation on BET.
New York fans can see the youngest Marley perform at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square (corner of 14th and Broadway) at 11pm on Monday, September 12th. Damian Marley’s performance will be followed by a midnight signing to celebrate the release of the CD. The first 175 attendees are guaranteed admission to the show, and the purchase of the album is required to attend the signing.
Junior Gong will be touring the United States during November and December in support of the CD. His stage performance is a serious event down to the flag bearer and all!
To listen to tracks from the new album, to watch video clips, to get tour dates or other news, visit www.damianmarleymusic.com