Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley play "Slave Mill", "So a Child May Follow" and "Speak Life" at the Tiny Desk.

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Sept. 9, 2019 | Felix Contreras -- There was a distinct feeling of history in the air when Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley took his place in our office with his band, and it wasn't just the legend behind his surname. For fifteen minutes, we were treated to the same socially relevant reggae that his father, legendary Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley, made popular when he put the genre on the international music map.

With eyes shut, Marley dug deep into the healing power of music with songs from his 2017 album Stony Hill. "So A Child May Follow" addresses the troubles youth confront around the globe and how to persevere to succeed. "Speak Life" sums up the message of his music and his turn behind the Tiny Desk: live a life that will enable us to survive life's slings and arrows with dignity and love. But what makes his music stand out on this session is the prominence of the acoustic guitar and piano in the arrangements, which makes the familiar sound somewhat new.

And let's address the elephant in the room: Damian's father cast a giant, magnificent shadow on the world and it can't be easy to follow in those footsteps as a songwriter and musician. "Jr. Gong" (after his father's nickname of "Tuff Gong") seems to be undaunted by that legacy and instead draws on it for inspiration and guidance. Not to mention there is more than a hint of his father's unmistakable singing voice that so often preached the same messages of self-identity and self-determination that his youngest son is now doing so successfully.

SET LIST
"Slave Mill"
"So a Child May Follow"
"Speak Life"

MUSICIANS
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley: vocals; Roselyn Williams: vocals; Sherieta Lewis: vocals; Sean "Pow" Diedrick: keys; Courtney "Bam" Diedrick: drums; Shiah Coore: bass; Elton "Elly B" Brown: guitar

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin, Andy Huether; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Bronson Arcuri, Jeremiah Rhodes, CJ Riculan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Paul Georgoulis; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Shuran Huang/NPR

[nprmusic]

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[Treck-]

Anyone here in 2024? listening to damian gong Marley hit me up 🤙

[idodamari]

Bobby never died, he just divided himself into many children

[asapwolf]

Ziggy - the happiness of Bob
Stephen - the soul of Bob
Rohan - the businessman of Bob
Robbie - the athleticism of Bob
Julian - the duality of Bob
Damian - the rebelness of Bob
Ky Mani - the street side of Bob

[TreeStanding]

"Lets face it.. man
Way too much time has been wasted..
Building military bases..
Fighting a war with no basis...
And life is so sacred...." - Damian Marley

[ibieiniid]

How the Marley kids can be as successful as they are and still be grounded is Bob's enduring gift to us all.

[SteadyDrop]

Man Damian killed it but let's give it up for his backup singers! Roselyn and Sherieta harmonies are a thing of beauty!

[Ramasegoo]

"Some of us won't practice hate, because we still believe in love"

[johnbennett]

Bob Marley never died. He multiplied 🔥🔥🔥

[rachelwilliams]

why is every Tiny Desk I listen to the best Tiny Desk I've heard?

[MoreTimeToKill]

In my opinion, Damian is one of the greatest artists on this planet.

[abaneyone]

Tiny Desk is the best music channel on YouTube!

[sloppymelon]

“there’s riches that the flesh can’t touch” such a powerful line

[Lovereggaemusic]

Nobody can't tell me this isn't one of the greatest artists in the world today. The consistency, the power of his lyrics, his performances....real livubg legend

[powerof]

If this was mainstream music, our Country would be a better place

[SC-mmwr]

The Marley legacy is still going strong - bless up🙏

[RyanAllenGoff]

Could you imagine Bob’s face to hear what his son has done on this earth with songs like this?? Wow what a beautiful song.

[LEAFEnt]

Yoooo y’all are legendary for gettin this man on here !
RESPECT

[fabiolimajardim]

"And when you feel like giving up
Remember patience is a virtue"

[ArielMeilij]

Damian Marley took reggae music to another level of evolution. His lyrics hit deep within the soul, and the ambiance he creates is one of calm and peace.