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.