Reggae Riddims & Reality by Rob Kenner

This year would have been Bob Marley’s 60th birthday-what better time for his offspring to set off the newest wave of Marley magic? “New wave,” sings Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, to a sold-out crowd at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. As Ethiopian flags whip through the smoky air, the 26-year old dancehall artist transforms “Punky Reggae Party”- his dad’s 1977 collabo with Lee “Scratch” Perry- into a righteous rave-up. Spitting swift syllables, Gong bounces across the stage with graceful abandon, kicking up his feet and flashing waist-length locks like the Rasta royalty he is.

Gong’s Grammy-winning album, Halfway Tree, served notice in 2001 that Bob’s youngest son was ready to rock with dancehall’s best. But the excitement around him has reached a fever pitch since the release of the single “Welcome to Jamrock” late last year. “Out in the streets they call it murder,” announces a dubbed-out Ini Kamose sample, then a heavy Sly & Robbie riddim sets the stage for Gong to serve up a sizzling slice of Kingston street life that fast forwards past “One Love” to expose the other side of paradise. “We haffi communicate with people who is living the struggle,” Gong explains after dropping the big tune and leaving the crowd screaming for more. “We take the music to the people who need that message.”

Produced by Gong’s big brother Stephen Marley, “Welcome to Jamrock” has the streets locked and is rapidly infiltrating radio playlists; word has it that the tune has caught the ear of Def Jam’s Shawn Carter. But before Gong starts throwing up any Dynasty signs, he’s planning to release his third album on the familia-run Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong imprint. “A lot of music you hear today don’t evoke though,” says Gong, just before he and Stephen head for a late-night engagement at Club Speed. “Some of it nice still, but I would love to see more opportunity for artists who really say something.” Stephen nods as he wraps a white bandanna around his locks. “A rebel stands for something,” he adds. “A gangsta kinda defend his own ting.”

As they step out into the glare of Times Square, the Marley brothers seem happy to know their message can still sway the people. “Ah really Jah give we the tune,” says Gong. “So, give thanks.”