Damian Marley & Nas – Distant Relatives

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.

Damian Marley and Nas in Pompano Beach, FL

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.
Distant Relatives CD

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

Gyptian Live! in LA

Gyptian at Jamaica Live @Club Cabana!

Words and Photo by Jan Salzman

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.

Gyptian Live! in LA Photo Jan Salzman

Gyptian took to the stage around 1:00 a.m. to the screams of scantily clad girls who were jammed against the stage. The girls had their sexiest moves on as they reached out to touch the young, popular star. He was sporting a new hair style with his locks tightly braided in rows to the nape of his neck. Continue reading