Flagman Judah ADD

Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley Pays Tribute To San Basilio de Palenque

01/11/2024 by Press Release

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley unveils a raw and uplifting music video for his July, 2023 release; a rendition of George Harrison's classic My Sweet Lord.

Marley Chose to Celebrate this Haven of Afro Colombian Culture in the Clip by Showcasing the City & its Citizens While Highlighting “the first free town in all of the Americas”

Renowned for his thought-provoking and impactful visuals, Marley collaborated with his longtime partner, B+ of Mochilla, and selected San Basilio de Palenque as the backdrop. Back in 1603, a group of African slaves broke away from their Spanish captors and built San Palenque de Basilio as “the first free town in the Americas.” Marley chose to celebrate this haven of AfroColombian culture.

The video beautifully showcases the city and its people, capturing dynamic dance sequences and intimate moments with Marley interacting on its streets.

My Sweet Lord  is a reinterpretation of Harrison's 1970 hit from the album All Things Must Pass. Marley infuses his signature reggae style and soulful vocals, offering a fresh perspective to the spiritual anthem.
 
He shares, “During a trip to LA, I heard the song My Sweet Lord,'a couple of times, and I really liked it. Back in Miami, we jammed to it with a reggae beat and I envisioned creating a cool, reggae-style version. Given recent events in my life and my family’s experiences, releasing the song now feels more significant than ever. It's a meaningful, spiritual piece, and in the current context, feels right."

This release marks Marley's first solo project since 2019's Reach Home Safe and his debut under his label, Ghetto Youths International, operated with his brothers Stephen and Julian Marley.
 
Anticipate more music from Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley later this month. Stay tuned for updates.

VIDEO CREDITS
Director: B+
Director of photography: ERIC COLEMAN 
Producer: PABLO AGUILAR 
Local Producers: JAVIER FONSECA and GUILLERMO COMACHO
Production Assistance: ROI REALES
Editing: ERIC COLEMAN
Editing Assistance: EDWARD ALLERTON
Musical groups: AFRONETO and KOMBILESA MÍ  
Folkloric dance: ESCUELAS DE DANZAS BATATA
Security: GUARDIA CIMARRONA 
Production Company: MOCHILLA

WATCH MY SWEET LORD HERE: