Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Tackles Critical Issues In New Single “Banner”

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the four-time GRAMMY AWARD® winner and powerhouse figure in modern reggae, continues to break boundaries in his musical journey with the release of his newest single, “Banner“. Since its release on October 11th, the song and its video have quickly taken on the role of cultural call-to-action, stirring conversations on societal ills and personal responsibility. His poetic insight into reality, combined with firm assurance and loyalty to the messages discretely hidden in his songs, was merged into using “Banner” to address an array of social ills that defined Marley as the voice of the voiceless.

More fundamentally, however, “Banner“ is an alarm to the masses to address certain ills facing mankind-scamming, absentee fathers, police brutality, and general corruption. Utilizing thought-provoking stanzas, Damian urges his listeners to remain chaste amidst turmoil. He repeats, “Give thanks the righteous still a wave dem banner,” that even in terrible times those who stand up for what is right do not bend or buckle.

The song’s potency is further amplified by the production of hip-hop legend Scoop DeVille, who has credits including projects for Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, among others. Together, Marley and DeVille contribute a new wave of musical ingenuity, merging reggae’s timeless messages with a modern-day, genre-defying sound. DeVille’s signature production techniques bring a driving rhythm that really completes Marley’s raw, incisive delivery, and it makes “Banner” more than just a reggae anthem-it’s a cross-cultural rallying cry.

Following the release of “Banner”, Marley will release his summer single entitled “Wisemen“, which takes more of a reflective turn and deals with love and relationships. In “Wisemen,” Damian lyrically maneuvers the trials of love: “True love is hard to find.”. And even if it don’t exist you cannot fault a man for trying.“ This introspective, yet wrenching perspective stands in astonishing contrast with the social critiques of “Banner“, exhibiting Marley’s span as a songwriter-bridging between the intimate and the global with equal weight.

In the spring, Marley put out a spiritual reboot “My Sweet Lord,” by George Harrison. Damian’s cover received great reviews, as Olivia Harrison and the George Harrison Estate praised Marley for how he updated Harrison’s song-but always with great respect. It’s another sign of how Marley connects genres and generations by proving his capability of working with classic material while making it sound new and unique.

These latest releases, including “Banner”, are under the record label Ghetto Youth International (GYI)-co-owned by Damian and his brothers Stephen and Julian Marley. That collaboration underlines how deeply Damian’s career has always been interlaced with the work of his father, the legendary Bob Marley. GYI continues to support the next wave in reggae music, taking it forward but never letting go of that sense of justice, love, and righteousness that’s always driven it.

Damian Marley has also continued as one of the busiest touring artists, recently finishing up the 22-date Marley Brothers Legacy Tour throughout North America. He was joined on tour by brothers Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, and Ky-Mani Marley to celebrate the Marley family’s lasting impact on both music and activism. Wrapping up in Miami on October 5th, the tour gave fans a vision of the united Marley siblings carrying the torch of their father’s musical and social legacy.