By DAVID BRINNDamian Marley.(photo credit: Courtesy)
Damian Marley, the hip-hopping dancehall DJ youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley will be making his Israeli debut on June 24 at Live Park, the recently opened amphitheater in Rishon Lezion.The 36-year-old Marley was only two years old when his father died in 1981.Marley was nicknamed “Jr. Gong” in honor of his legendary father’s moniker, “Tuff Gong.” His mother, Cindy Breakspeare, is a Jamaican jazz musician who was crowned Miss World 1976.Marley was already a full-time musician by the time he was 13, and with the help of his brother Stephen Marley, he released his debut album Mr. Marley in 1996. The reggae-meets-hip hop 2005 album Welcome to Jamrock proved to be his career breakout, winning Marley Grammies for Best Reggae Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance.A 2010 collaboration with Nas, Distant Relatives, also earned widespread acclaim and top ten sales. Marley was also part of SuperHeavy, a short-lived supergroup with Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart in 2011.Marley’s performance in Israel is the latest in a long-standing relationship between the Marley family and dean of Israeli promoters Shuki Weiss. Over the years, he’s hosted shows by Bob Marley’s backup group, The Melody Makers, and his sons Ziggy, Rohan and Ky-Mani.
