Filed under: New Music — Marley Lovell @ 9:23 pm June 25, 2009
Greetings,
I’ve long awaited the day that the biggest story in Hip-hop would also be the biggest story in Reggae and Distant Relatives may be just that. Over the past few days we have finally been able to get a peak into Damian Marley and Nas’s new project so I wanted to share what I found. Not that I could get much more excited for this album but watching this video really energizes me as a music fan. To see such great artists so inspired and passionate about a project really illustrates them at their best. Working together for a project and a cause. Africa… Give thanks. I know that this will be monumental in the communities of American, Caribbean, and African urban youths.
A short sample of a song from the project titled “Afro Beat” was also leaked and features a verse of Marley and Nas trading lines and demonstrating just how integrated this project has become. Hiphop and Reggae are coming together like never before and creating a true fusion based on common roots… Beautiful. I also included a brand new Roots Reggae track from Damian titled “Holiday” that was leaked from his upcoming solo project that is most likely on hold until he is done with the Distant Relatives project. Enjoy and Jah Bless.
I wanted to check in with you since i haven’t touched base in a few weeks. Here’s wanted to keep you in the know about the Reggae news that is exciting me these days. The first news I have is great news for the World of Reggae but does make me eat my words from my post claiming that the Damian Marley and Nas album would never manifest. Honestly, I’ve never been happier to be wrong. The duo will be debuting their new African themed project titled “Distant Relatives” while headlining the famed “Rock The Bells” tour this summer. Though there is plenty to read about the project, they have yet to release any audio from the album due to drop in just a few weeks (June 23rd). I haven’t even seen any camera videos from the exclusive listening party they had in LA. I am very excited to hear that Damian has done the bulk of the production with help from brother Stephen of course and maybe even guests such as Alchemist. I’m not sure how much longer I can wait.. There is no doubt that this is going to take the music world by storm. Click here for more information on this project.
The other big new is the long awaited release of Reggae’s newest star, Alborosie with his Greensleeves debut. His album is scheduled to drop next Monday June, 15th. We have come to expect a few things from Alborosie since he dropped Herbalist several years ago: 1) He is consistent and never lets you down if you are looking for the hard hitting one drop Rub a dub style 2) There is always an Alborosie track that you have never heard. This project is no different and doesn’t feature any of the tracks that have made him famous.
Check out the track listing:
01. America
02. No Cocaine
03. Mama She Don’t Like You Feat. I.Eye
04. Global War
05. Money
06. Irusalem
07. I Can’t Stand It Feat. Dennis Brown
08. Real Story
09. Good Woman
10. Dung A Babylon
11. One Sound Feat. Gramps Morgan
12. Humbleness
13. Promise Land
14. Mr. President
15. Operation Uppsala
16. Likkle Africa
