Damian Marley

Damian Marley, born Damian Robert Nesta Marley on July 21, 1978, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a renowned Jamaican deejay, singer, songwriter, and rapper, known globally as “Junior Gong” and more recently as “Gongzilla.” As the youngest son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Jamaican jazz singer Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976, Damian was immersed in a musical legacy from an early age. By 13, he was performing with “The Shepherds,” alongside Shiah Coore and Yashema Beth McGreggor, and began touring with his siblings Stephen, Ky-mani, Julian, and Ziggy.

Damian made a significant impact with his debut solo album, Mr. Marley (1996), which marked a departure from the traditional Marley sound with its dancehall influences. His follow-up, Halfway Tree (2001), showcased his talent for blending dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop, earning him critical acclaim and his first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2002. The album’s success was underscored by its 158-week presence on the Billboard Top Reggae Album Charts.

His 2005 album, Welcome to Jamrock, propelled him to international prominence. The album sold 86,000 copies in its first week and was certified gold after selling 500,000 copies in the U.S. Its title track was hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the Top 100 Songs of the Decade. At the 2006 Grammy Awards, Damian made history by winning Best Reggae Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance in a single night.

In 2010, Damian collaborated with Nas on the critically acclaimed album Distant Relatives, which explored reggae, hip-hop, and African heritage. The album debuted at Number 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and was praised for its Afrocentric themes. Damian’s 2012 collaboration with Skrillex on “Make It Bun Dem” further showcased his genre-blending prowess, receiving acclaim for its innovative mix of dubstep and dancehall.

Continuing to push musical boundaries, Damian released his fourth studio album, Stony Hill, in July 2017, which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Recently, he has released the poignant single “Wisemen” in June 2024. Damian remains a powerful force in music, touring globally and working with his brothers Stephen and Julian under their Ghetto Youths International Label to nurture new talent and explore new musical styles.