Story and photos courtesy Overtime/ Destine Media
On the fifty-second anniversary of the world’s first major benefit concert, four-time (4x) GRAMMY AWARD® – winning reggae artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley has released a cover of a song from the former Beatles guitarist, who organised the event held in 1971 along with Indian sitar player, Ravi Shankar.
This month, Marley is back with a new single, highlighting his interpretation of a timeless classic of George Harrison’s entitled, “My Sweet Lord”. Marley’s rendition of “My Sweet Lord” is said to capture the essence of the original while blending it with his own reggae-infused style, creating a fresh and captivating musical experience.
The song, “My Sweet Lord,” is a cover of Harrison’s classic hit from his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Marley puts his own spin on the spiritual anthem, giving the track a fresh sound with his signature reggae style and soulful vocals. The single marks Marley’s first solo release since 2019’s “Reach Home Safe,” and his first release under his own label, Ghetto Youths International, which he runs with his brothers Stephen and Julian Marley.
Marley chose to cover “My Sweet Lord” because of its timeless message and its relevance to the current state of the world. Showcasing his distinctive sound and artistry, Marley adds to his repertoire of collaborating with music legends such as Mick Jagger and forming the group ‘Super Heavy.’ The single will be available on all digital platforms on July 28th, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, the first major benefit concert in history, which raised funds and awareness for the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. Marley hopes that his single will also inspire people to support causes that are close to their hearts and make a positive difference in the world.
The youngest son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley garnered his own place in music history when he became the first ever Reggae artist to win a GRAMMY AWARD® outside of the Reggae category, taking home an award for Best Urban/Alternative performance for his title single, “Welcome To Jamrock.”
The acclaimed 2005 breakthrough disc Welcome To Jamrock, also won a GRAMMY AWARD® for Best Reggae Album, whilst the New York Times named it “the best reggae song of the decade.” Marley has been shaking up stages all over the world for the past few years, first in conjunction with his Distant Relatives project where he teamed up with Nas and brother Stephen Marley, and then when he went on to partner with Skrillex for their groundbreaking track “Make It Bun Dem”, which Rolling Stone called “a monster mash up of dubstep and dancehall.” This went on to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States alone.
Following the track’s success, the reggae superstar released his fourth studio album, Stony Hill, resulting in his third GRAMMY AWARD® for Best Reggae Album. Marley is also working with his brothers Stephen and Julian under their Ghetto Youths International Label, to discover, develop and sign gifted artists – applying their musical talent and vast experience to create new and different styles of music. Recently, Marley collaborated on and produced The Kalling by Kabaka Pyramid in September of 2022. The 15-track project went on to win Best Reggae Album at the 65th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS®.
