Whaddat?Com v.2 :: Young Veteran > Damian "Junior Gong" Marley

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As the end of October draws near a trip to Florida is no escape from Kingston's torrid heat. As I search frantically for an address given to me an hour earlier, when I actually find the place I am even more surprised by its unlikely location. Housed in a plaza of about 60 offices running the gamut from computer specialists to home restoration professionals, the South Dade Business Centre is home to Ghetto Youths International, USA. It's a remarkable difference from 56 Hope Road, which seems more like a home than a museum or studio. Once inside, I assume that this space is obviously a recent acquisition, considering its sparse furnishings and few inhabitants. It's cool olive green coloured walls are mostly bare and the only sign of its affiliation to the youngest veteran (besides the label's name on the door) is a poster of the Marley clan.

I am taking it all in when Mr. Marley walks through the door. He is much more handsome in person. His lean frame, clad in a grey Nike t-shirt, jeans, and a wicked pair of brown Clarks, is crowned with a mass of dreadlocks, which fall to the small of his back. He greets me with a hello and we shake hands. I must admit that I expected more fan fare; an entourage, persons in waiting, hangers on, lackeys - something!

Surprisingly it was just Damian and his bredren, who disappeared when the deejay reclined on the futon. I opted for the hassock, and we began our conversation.

After releasing Half Way Tree in 2001 Damian has since parted ways with Motown Records and is now currently on the Ghetto Youths International label. Not hinting that the dissolution of his relationship with the renowned record company was less than amicable he candidly explains that the promotion devoted to his album was not what he had expected- a complaint we've often heard being voiced by reggae acts on international labels. And although the album did snag Best Reggae Album at last year's Grammy awards it did not move the number of units that an album on such a tremendously successful label could. The reality is that the record companies usually fall short where this is concerned and very rarely does Jamaican music get marketed for what it is, i.e. Reggae music, due largely to the fact that music execs still think that there's really no lucrative niche for it in a world saturated with pop. "Take my father, for instance", he says, "he was marketed as a rock act." And while Bob Marley's music was voice of protest, an outlet for those often left unheard much like rock and roll in its seminal stages [with acts like Dylan and the Beatles], it was definitely not rock music

Damian's life has been one of privilege by all standards. It goes without saying that being a part of a family whose patriarch even more so in death is highly revered the world over has had an enormous impact on the artist's musical career. His surname alone has given him the opportunity to make considerable inroads in an industry ruled by connections and networking. His brothers, no strangers to the glare of the spotlight have also played a tremendous role in his career.

With his brother Stephen executive producing and co-writing tracks on Half Way Tree, it's obvious that Damian and his siblings are tight. "I consider my brothers my best friends. They make this whole business easier…learning about the whole runnings of things. They've done the whole Grammy ting…huge concerts…and all 'dat…so I have learned a lot from 'dem."

He describes what may seem to many as his sudden conversion from former student of the elite Hillel Academy, a private school located in upper St. Andrew to the Rastafarian faith as destined, "Is not like I became a Rasta…Rastafari was always a part of my life.. [My understanding came] more [with] maturing…it's not like it wasn't expected...it [being a Rastafarian] isn't difficult for me… it can never be difficult for you to be yourself…" And how did his colleagues react? "Nobody opposed to my face…maybe behind my back…but never to my face".

Never having to endure a day of real suffering would make many a hater feel that this young uptown bwoy has no place making music about the plight of ghetto youths. But living a life without what would be considered real hardship by some doesn't make one myopic. Sadly, today more than ever before, the themes of his music hold tremendous validity.

Where there's more hungry mouths/ Than food to eat/It's where the homeless/ Roam the street/Where broken glass and broken dreams/Are shattered and scattered/Amongst debris/Sufferation wrath/ And still they laugh/And dream of a mansion above the Half/ No one to speak/ Upon their behalf/Now tell me do they stand a chance?
Stand A Chance (Half-Way-Tree)

With this in mind, he remains cognizant of the struggles many have to undergo and unapologetically chooses to make it an integral part of his musical message.

Damian Marley's expert lyricism (he has written or co-written all of his songs) and apparent innate ability to siddung pon di riddim is something that impresses even the most critical listeners. Track 11, Give Dem Some Way on his latest body of work is just one remarkable testament to that. He admits that he is a bit "…self-critical…I always have to re-examine my tune 'dem…I'm what some might consider a perfectionist." He was always interested in reggae music and used to practice deejaying as a kid, back in the day he did a brief stint in the group The Shepherds before launching his own solo career.

Witnessing Junior Gong in concert is an experience you won't soon forget. His performances make listeners to his music see and appreciate him in a totally different light, not just as a deejay but as great performer as well. However, many Jamaicans have never had the opportunity of enjoying Damian Marley's music live and many speculations (usually negative) as to why this is so are made. While it is often felt that this is due to the lack of desire on his part he sets the record straight saying, " Nobody in Jamaica ever approach me fi do a show. I don't know if 'dem feel like 'dem wouldn't be able to afford to pay me…I don't know what it is…but is not like I can just go on a show jus' like 'dat… it haffi be a situation where it benefits us [and] 'dem haffi invite me."

Recently his collaboration with Ireland pop sweetheart Samantha Mumba on I'm Right Here (currently #5 on the U.K. charts) has gotten some heat from onlookers who claim that the track is very commercially driven- a reality that Junior Gong doesn't even try to deny, however, he explains and quite rightly "As far as people thinking that I've gone commercial…we are far from commercial…as a matter of fact we are anti- commercial…If you listen to any of our music you'd hear that. I believed that this track would give me exposure to another market…it was a good move for my career and that's why I did it."

While on the subject of female collaborations, the 24-year old deejay says he is single. And despite the fact that he is aware that girls may buy his album because they think he's hot, he laughingly rejects the notion that he may be considered a sex symbol-

"I'd never use that word to describe myself." Interestingly he reveals that he has no aversion for being with someone who does not share his religious beliefs and states quite matter-of-factly that he's never dated a Rastafarian woman. "There is one Creator" he explains "and we as humans have our own [different] ways of praising the Most High…maybe you'll come to see my way…but I not in a position to judge somebody because of their [religious] beliefs."

FULL 'UNDRED

Damian & Tru

What kind of car do you drive? Black X5
Favourite colour? Blue
Kids? None
Girlfriend/s? Still searchin'
Favourite hang out spot in Jamaica? 56 Hope Road
Besides music, what do you do when you have free time? I play football
Favourite food? Fish (steam, fry, every'ting)
Any pets? I really like dogs…I have 2 pit bulls.

What kind of music do you consider your favourite (including artists)? I listen to a lot of vintage reggae: Burning Spear, Culture, Big Yute, and early Dennis Brown. I rate Killa, Capleton, Sizzla.
Hip-hop: I like Mr. Cheeks, Jay-Z…but I can't really say I have a favourite artist…me'll listen any ting weh current, weh give yuh knowledge, has a good beat/flow. I don't have a problem with gangsta rap either. I just think that music needs balance- not too much of one thing.
Favourite female artists? Sade. (The man has taste). And I like Ashanti's song, Happy.

Favourite actors? Robert Deniro, Al Pacino
Favourite movies? The Godfather (all of them), Hannibal…I like the scene weh him eating the guy's brains! (gross)

What's on currently on your agenda? We're now working on Ziggy's album, Dragon Fly, which will be out soon…and on Julian's album as well. Hopefully I can begin working on my next before the end of the year.
Do you do any charity work to give back to the community? I do a lot of unorganised charity work. Recently my family donated several computers to a school in Kingston
Any tour plans? A show in Hawaii in the near future

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