ARTISTE. GRAMMY winner. Spokesman of a new generation.
When Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley, son of the late reggae megastar Bob Marley and former Miss World, Cindy Breakespeare, made his breakthrough debut on Tuff Gong International with his CD 'Mr. Marley' almost five years ago, reggae fans didn't quite know what to make of him.
Here was a true-blue member of the Marley clan who looked like a Marley, skanked like a Marley, but sounded like a dancehall deejay. To his credit, one of those singles, 'Me Name Junior Gong' went to number one in Hawaii. In those early beginnings, Junior Gong gave a glimpse of things-to-come, forging a unique style of dancehall and roots rhythms which bridged the gap between his father's time and the present dancehall era. But it was his sophomore album, 'Half Way Tree' that would earn him the kudos, give him last year's Grammy nod, and introduce his bold musical identity to the world.
We salute you for the bold critique on guns, drugs, and other forms of mental slavery which you deliver in your edgy, fast-paced musical style. To whom much is given, much is expected, and you have certainly updated the Marley musical legacy for the 21st century, and we expect a lot more of you as the years roll by. Despite your different way of expression, you are a died-in-the-wool Marley, a trait which shines through in your uncanny ability to convey solid, conscious lyrics which speak to the hearts of men.
We hail your growth as an artiste, as a person and as a citizen of this country. We recognise that you have abandoned those 'just for one night fun things' with your landmark album which served as a beacon for the disenfranchised and sidelined, and showed your growth in terms of maturity and musical knowledge, and more importantly, clearly demonstrated your open-arm embrace of Rastafarianism, the spiritual umbrella under which your father sheltered.
Sir, one of your best known songs is the hauntingly catchy 'It Was Written' where you lectures on the Rastafari philosophy in passionate writing that will burn forever. Before your time on this earth has passed, there is no doubt that you will have written your remarkable story in the annals of reggae music like only a Marley can.
Sir, we hail your continued growth and success for you have certainly come a long way from the interestingly titled track, 'My Daddy Was A Bedroom Bully'. May you continue to blossom and chase your dreams.
It is with great pleasure that we present you with the 2002 Gleaner Honour Award of Excellence.
