Jr. Gong

Being the Youngest son of the reggae king, Bob 'The Tuff Gong' Marley, the name "Jr. Gong" is a symbol of Damian's deep understanding of his musical inheritance and indicates his commitment to the standards of excellence that were the hallmark of his father's career.
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Born Damian Robert Nesta Marley in 1978 to former Ms. World, Cindy Breakspear, he began performing at a tender age. "I don't know when I first began performing, I can't remember ever not performing", states the young Gong. At first there were shows staged in the living room of his mother's close friend Dona Coore, where he and Shiah ( son of Third World guitarist Cat Coore) would entertain their mothers and friends. Dancehall had been an integral part of his musical experience and by the time Damian was 9 years old, his intrinsic talent for Deejaying had grown immensely. He and Shiah had formed the group "The Shepherds" and were performing before performing audiences at venues such as the Wyndham Hotel. It wasn't long before they were elevated to popular stage shows like the '92 Sunsplash Bob Marley Tribute (along with Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Rita Marley and Julian Marley). Onstage he unleashed his unique Deejay style to an appreciative Sunsplash audience.
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Junior Gong's most recent shows have been in combination with his brother Julian. Their performances on Sunsplash '95, Sumfest '95 and The 1996 Bob Marley Day Festival in Central Park left fans with a desire to see much more of "the youngest Marley". Having released a number of singles including "D.J. Degree", "Sexy Girls Pon Mi Mind", and his latest "Ten Thousand Chariots" (A combination with brother Steven Marley of the Melody Makers), Jr. Gong's career has led him on tours to Canada, The United States, parts of the Caribbean as well as Central and South America.
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"I learned to juggle music and school pretty quickly", grins the recent Hillel Academy graduate, adding determinedly "Eventually, I'd like to 'deal' with some engineering and producing as well as all other aspects of the music business".
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Although he lives with his mother, Damian has always spent holidays and any spare time available with his brothers and sisters in the Marley home. "With my fathers and brothers as role models, it wasn't hard to identify myself as a Rasta," the youth admits, "so right now I'm learning it while I'm living it". Bob Marley conquered the world with roots, rock and reggae. The legend continues with his youngest son Jr. Gong, who's stellar deejaying skills are sure to bring the world to his feet.