Grammy Award-winning Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will be dropping the entire “No Better Riddim” project this Friday. This fluid project features 15 different reggae artists riding on one instrumental produced by Marley.
The 16-track album will be available via streaming platforms under the record label Ghetto Youths International. This comes after a months-long campaign of singles.
Marley, who won a Grammy Award and is the youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, built this project around Jamaica’s juggling style. In this style, several artists record their lyrics and melodies on the same riddim, the Jamaican word for an instrumental backing track.
Unlike a feature, each artist records an entirely new song on the common base. The label notes that “the project feels connected without sounding repetitive.”
The project explores love, relationships, spirituality, consciousness, resilience, and introspection.
The project launched its campaign early this year with Jemere Morgan’s “Know Better,” which introduced the riddim’s warm, melodic nature. The label has been releasing the songs individually before finally releasing the entire collection.
Some of the songs that have been released ahead of the project include Romain Virgo’s “Lay My Head,” Alaine’s “Love Again,” Pressure Busspipe’s “So Amazing,” Turbulence’s “Twin Flames,” Ghost’s “Coming Again,” and Jaz Elise’s “Don’t Spoil Love.”
On Friday’s release, the project will feature previously unheard tracks from Sevana, Chino McGregor, Richie Spice, Medisun, Singing Melody, Da’ville, Zaila Jazz, and Queen Omega. The album ends with Marley’s instrumental “No Better Riddim (Version).”
According to the label, Marley’s production blends roots reggae with the warmth of lovers rock and modern influences while still leaving space for each artist’s personality. The collection features a mix of experienced performers and international stars as well as a younger generation of reggae artists.
Ghetto Youths International reiterates that the project reflects the company’s dedication to reggae rooted in substance, musicianship, and storytelling. The label adds that the project shows the evolution of the traditional riddim concept.
“No Better Riddim” track list
- Jemere Morgan, “Know Better”
- Romain Virgo, “Lay My Head”
- Alaine, “Love Again”
- Pressure Busspipe, “So Amazing”
- Turbulence, “Twin Flames”
- Ghost, “Coming Again”
- Jaz Elise, “Don’t Spoil Love”
- Sevana, “Fight Fi Di Love”
- Chino McGregor, “Jah Will Be There”
- Richie Spice, “Black Foundation”
- Medisun, “Rastafari Love”
- Singing Melody, “Rivers To Cross”
- Da’ville, “You Make It Easy”
- Zaila Jazz, “Hometown”
- Queen Omega, “Should Have Known Better”
- Damian Marley, “No Better Riddim (Version)”
