Damian Marley

Damian Marley opened up to VladTV about becoming Rastafari after leaving high school and learning more about his religion. He explained that around the time that he started adopting the religion is when he stopped cutting his dreadlocks, but Damian explained that for practical purposes he has begun trimming his hair. During the conversation, Damian spoke about his smash hit “Welcome to Jamrock,” for which he became the first Reggae artist to win two Grammys in one night. You can hear more of what he had to say, including the backlash he got for the song, in the above clip.

In this clip, Damian Marley discusses how his parents met and the untimely death of his iconic father, Bob Marley. Damian recalls early moments of his childhood with his older siblings and reflects on how those relationships were fostered. He also reveals the origin of his nickname Jr. Gong, and how dancehall music deeply influenced his style of music today. While unpacking the backstory to his second album, Halfway Tree, Marley goes in depth about how oppression and social inequity dominates his music. He talks about how his life, though privileged, lay at the crux of the “Halfway Tree” which divided Damian’s town in Jamaica along class lines.

Damian Marley spoke openly to VladTV about his legendary father Bob being bullied for his mixed race and not feeling like he belonged to a particular group. He then spoke about Bob getting into the Rastafari culture and his own thoughts on the core principles of the religion. During the conversation, Damian also spoke about politics in Jamaica, comparing them to a gang. He explained that things aren’t as serious as they were in the past, but Marley said Reggae artists have chosen not to be close to politics for various reasons. To hear more of what he had to say, hit the above clip.

Damian Marley, the youngest son of reggae icon, Bob Marley, and a viable star in his own light sits down with DJ Vlad to speak on his dad’s legacy, the impact of Rastafarianism on his life, and what it’s like working with Nas and Jay-Z. He begins by discussing his father’s legacy, though Jr. Gong was only 2 when he passed, and why the Marley descendants have a knack, for music. He speaks on the social impact Bob’s music has and why 2Pac may be the only artist to have such a powerful effect on the masses. He then goes on to discuss Trenchtown and the politics of Jamaica and why he feels it is important for someone like him who is privileged to some extent, to speak up on the oppressions of others in his music. Getting to the music, Damian discusses his success as a solo reggae artist having received three Grammy awards in his career and working with mainstream artists Nas, Mick Jagger, Skrillex, and Jay-Z through the years. He also discloses whether or not he and his siblings would ever work on a collaborative project. Watch the full interview above.