Damian Marley and Nas
Distant Relatives Tour – Giving Hope and Help
By M. Peggy Quattro
Photo by Alex Markow
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 duos 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 Billboards Rap, Digital Album, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Reggae charts, where it sits at #1 today. The joint venture, two years in production, was produced by brothers Damian and Stephen Marley, with Stephen leading the way and leaving his indelible mark throughout the 13-track CD. A bonus iTunes track, featuring Reggae’s Junior Reid, is an added treat. Several singles have topped the iTunes and UK Singles Charts, and the song Strong Will Continue, is featured on the 2010 FIFA World Cup video game.
Musicians, playing on live instruments, include the Marleys long-time riddim team of Chris Meredith on bass and Squidly Cole on drums. Shia Coore, son of Third World guitarist Cat Coore, is featured on the CD as well as touring as bassist, and Reggae veteran Paul Fakourie is featured on keyboards. Continue reading