Miami, FL - Two brothers by different mothers, Damian Marley and Nas have set the summer
concert season on fire. The Distant Relatives tour, touted by its stars as a ‘family affair,’ is getting
rave reviews while the dynamic duo’s CD by-the-same-name is charting worldwide.
The Distant Relatives CD debuted in May 2010 at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling a reported 57,000 copies its first week. Reviews have labeled the lyrics “inspiring” and its production “convincing.” The CD also shot onto to Billboard’s Rap, Digital Album, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Reggae
charts, where it sits at #1 today.
Hollywood, CA – July 29, 2010 - The
line to get into Club Cabana was a block long. I had never seen this
before for a Jamaica Live performance from any artist. Obviously,
Gyptian’s hit single “Hold Yuh” was making its way onto the radio
playlists and the public was responding. Luckily, I ran into the
Jamaica Live publicist, Russell Gerlach, and was escorted through the
crowd into the stage room. Give thanks! I would never have gotten a
good spot for photos otherwise.
Ranked in the top 100 of Rolling
Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, Lee “Scratch” Perry
considers himself a new being, anxious to spread the healing, spiritual
energy of his music at DubFest, Sept. 5, in Hollywood, Florida.
It was a muggy Magic
City night when the
Original Wailers brought their roots rock reggae to downtown. Wrapping up a series of South Florida shows
inside the open-air Finnegan’s on the [Miami]
River, the casual waterfront locale was filled with an eclectic mix of fans in
high spirits, eagerly waiting to greet the musical legends.
It
was a perfect Miami
night; clear skies, balmy breeze, and a Reggae festival in the park. The 16th Caribbean
(formerly Marley) Festival was jammin’ alongside the bay and the downtown park
was rammed. Positioned between Capleton
and Ky-mani’s set, the show-stealing Buju Banton fired up the crowd with a
60+-minute set that left fans shouting “forward!” If you have not seen Buju before, or if you
haven’t in a while, his presentation and professionalism will have you also clamoring
for more. (See Fest review)
I caught up with the 36-year-old Rasta lion following his mind-blowing
performance and congratulated him on an outstanding show. “It is my first Bob Marley fest in Miami and I wanted to do
something different from the regular,” said a smiling Buju, “I wanted to come
out of the Dancehall a little bit and do something special.”
(Check the mp3 player at end of article for new single preview!)
News and Reviews 
