Damian Marley Speaks About Lil Wayne's Distant Relatives Feature
After initial plans for a first quarter 2010 release, Damian Marley & Nas' Distant Relatives collaboration album has a concrete due date, set at May 18, 2010. Speaking with HipHopDX late Monday night, Marley expressed his enthusiasm. "It's a relief. I feel excited. It's been a lot of work and we've been lookin' forward to [releasing the album]." While his leading album singles like 2005 smash hit "Welcome to Jamrock" have been summer sensations, none of Marley's work has been released at a time that many specifically seek Reggae riddims in stereo. Marley explained to DX how he looks at this opportunity in Distant Relatives. "At the end of the day, [my philosophy] has always been to put stuff out when it's ready, 'cause I don't believe in puttin' out music that I'm not satisfied with, or I don't think has reached its potential in terms of the creative process. At the same time, I've never really had an album that was released at the beginning of summer. All of my albums have been previously released in September. I'm really lookin' forward to what that response will be, knowing that traditionally, Reggae music is what they call 'summer music,' so I'm kind of really looking forward to what that's gonna be."
Already boasting two appearances from K'Naan as well as Pop/Soul singer Joss Stone and Reggae legend Dennis Brown, many Rap fans were excited to hear last week's announcement, courtesy of XXLMag.com, that Lil Wayne will be appearing on the Universal Republic Records release. Damian was asked his thoughts on Lil Wayne bringing a younger generation into his and Nas' global-minded album."It's funny, because the track is called 'My Generation,'" Damian answered with a chuckle. "It's definitely geared towards that. [Lil] Wayne really showed a lot of respect in his verse, in the way that he handled it. He handled it exactly how I would've really loved him to. I don't have any criticism at all about what he did. I think it's a great and blessed track. That's all I can really say about that." Wayne's verse reportedly touches on the one-ness in different cultures, eras and music.
With the newly-confirmed tracklisting, Damian also spoke about the importance of sequencing the album and finalizing its 13 cuts. "To tell you the truth, the tracklisting hasn't really changed that much in the months, it's more-so that there's been some inaccurate listings that people have put on the 'net. The tracklisting has pretty much remained the same throughout the project. Marley did however admit, "The sequencing has changed. That is a matter of trying to make the album a long-listener, where you can put it in, hear from top, and just play straight through. So it goes off of feel; you don't want to have too many slow tracks back-to-back or too many fast ones back-to-back for that matter. I just try to make sure that the album feels good throughout."
The finalized tracklisting is as follows:
1. As We Enter
2. Tribal War (feat. K’Naan)
3. Strong Will Continue
4. Leaders (feat. Stephen Marley)
5. Wisdom
6. Count Your Blessings
7. Dispear
8. The Promised Land (feat. Dennis Brown)
9. In His Own Words (feat. Stephen Marley)
10. Nah Mean
11. Friends
12. My Generation (feat. Lil Wayne and Joss Stone)
13. Africa Must Wake Up (feat. K’Naan)
Lastly, Damian reacted to the impact of December's VTech-sponsored Distant Relatives event at the National Geographic in Washington DC that included Hip Hop godfather DJ Kool Herc, Rakim and Dancehall legend Big Youth. "It really feels like something important - everybody feels like it's an important project. Not just because of the music, but because of the whole idea behind the project, the focus of the project itself - both in aspects of it being related to Africa and us tryin' to shine a light and educate our generation on that a little bit more and also from the fact that two genres, which we've been saying, come from similar beginings and their destinies are intertwined. A lot of people have known that for a very long time, and this whole project has become a platform for us to express it. I've seen that it's not just myself and Nas, but all these other people, who are very credible, have validated what we've been tryin' to say."
Next Monday, specific dates will be announced for a North American tour that plans to hit almost every American city, as well as dates in Europe. Epic/Decon Records artist Nneka will be the Distant Relatives Tour opening act, as Nas will appear on her official remix to "Heartbeat," from her album Concrete Jungle.
As of this week, fans can visit DistantRelatives.com for information on the duo, the project and tour dates. The site is going live this week, with full launch expected by next week.
The Distant Relatives will also be performing in South By Southwest this Wednesday (March 17) at Emo's (603 Red River) in Austin, Texas. They're slated to hit the stage at midnight, joined by DJ Green Lantern.
Distant Relatives releases May 18. Pre-order Here
one moment...
Reply To This Comment
Got an account with one of these? Log in here, or just enter your info and leave a comment below.
Comments 131 posts
distant:
GOD BLESS!! ITS GOING TO BE A CLASSIC!
Lez:
The album as a whole is dope, as well as the song "My Generations" featuring Wayne.... It's an uplifting song. If it makes you feel any better Wayne's not in auto tune and his verse is full of substance.
I think that a real and true Nas fan would trust him on this one... Hear the track first, then speak.
daot:
jahhhhhhhhhhhhh raztttahhhhhh..!..vry much....2 oll pepol woo dzcremnet afffrican...
amaru:
lil wayne sucks scrotum........dats all
Vega:
Why is everbody trippin about Wayne being on there. Y'all act like y'all didn't hear Georgia bush or that cream remix with clef. Yeah Wayne spits that shit. But he can get deep when he wants to
MYLIE:
wayne is everywhere and we are sick of it mainstream whore. hes incoherent ramblin bullshit rapper. Georgia Bush is is good but it ain't great. Its just a big scar on the album.
luv the creativity of this album!:
Oh stop bitch about Wayne...you niggas are mad!
LowEndTheory212:
i understand what you are saying @mylie, i dont like him either but he knows that when it comes to Nas and Gong's album hes gotta pull it together. He did it on Little Brothers album and Im sure he did it on this one too, he'll do fine...
CAN'T....BAN......DUKE....... BOY:
I bumps Wacka "Gun Sound" "All I Got" "Hard In The Paint" "Head First"...............I bet u niggas dont know Wacka got a song wit Papoose called "Throwin Fingers".............U guys should YouTube these songs and give that boy Wacka Flocka a chance..............Just do this one favor download Wacka mixtape "Official White Label" and just put it in your whip or scooter and just blast it up loud I guarantee you all will be feeling it
JasonCTown:
Where in this article did it mention that retard?? Why did you have to 'dumb-up' this article with your booty-rap references?
Articulate1:
Putting Weezy on this album is like taking a piss in a bottle of fine wine...this project just got a little shittier. Isnt Hip-Hop's audience big enough to sustain at lest one project not tainted by that asshole's nonsense babbling?
I:
it's not the end of the world like some of the comments suggest, but I agree with you 10000%
CAN'T....BAN......DUKE....... BOY:
NAS IS BROKE
I:
Nas is the G.O.A.T. even if he was broke, which he's not.
rndm:
i was really really hopin for a collab with immortal technique... i know it was farfetched...
i just think it woulda been so dope.
-617-:
immortal tech is wack i'm so glad that isn't happening
Ross M:
Immortal Technique is the broke ass version of Nas. On the same subject, Tech's verse would have no flow, a lot of anger, and be filled with big words that are really nonsense that he tries to peddle for intelligence. Nas would deliver the message, use lyrics that people understand and can relate to, and make you feel it. As if it were ever an issue, keep Immortal Technique off this album.
Da truth:
The real disappointment is that they have no tour dates in African cities.
-617-:
cosign 1000%
luv the creativity of this album!:
They did not release their tour dates yet and they will be performing in Africa on April 19, 2010
Krome:
I hope Nas is on the track with Wayne so he could just murder his verse
Robotik:
What did happen to Stevie Wonder being on there?
Anyway it's gonna dope. Wether you hate Nas or Weezy. It's gonna be an all around good album.
JOE6PACKNCGBORO336:
WOW this mad funny wayne gonna kill album thats not gonna sale any dam way
im not buying it just not what i want to hear
i did buy the welcome to JAMROCK cd when it had drop couple years ago stil play it
Da, Fella:
You do not know the meaning of being a FAN!!!!!!
Because of one bad seed.(feature).. Its all bad wow and not buying the album?... Ur a stupid childish and a Ridiculous MuthaFucka!!
STFU WITH ALL THIS BITCHING!!!!:
This album will sell...haters can't stop Nas or Damian!
thizzle dance:
JOE6PACKNCGBORO336,
learn english. And I don't like Wayne either but he will increase sales. album will be dope.
INOA:
I guarantee that's probably the worst song in the whole album
NayderTahiphopQueen:
LUPE SHOULD BE ON IT instead of wayne
Da, Fella:
Fuck Lupe! bra....
se7enstacks:
@Da Fella lol you must be a lil wayne fan, only a dumb ass nigga would say fuck Lupe
insight:
not really feelin lil wayne being featured but what ever i can suck it up for 40sec if i get 13 tracks of my fav reggae artist jammin with one of my top 5 rap artists....stay blessed damian n nas....1
look man:
Doesn't the whole idea of putting Lil' Wayne go against the goal of the album. I thought the goal of the album was to speak on black power and oneness. Lil Wayne doesn't represent that. He raps about drugs, sex, more drugs, more sex, violence, more sex, and more drugs. Then, he raps about how awesome he is, and how much money he has. Damian Marley doesn't do that. He raps about poor people, Africa, and peace. NaS made an album that was supposed to be titled the "N-word", and was all about black history. I can see how they'd add K'Naan to the project, seeing as he actually raps about poverty and is from Africa, but Lil' Wayne? This might have been a label move. I hope they get rid of this track.
jrebel:
Cuz they On some bigger picture ish, wayne and his hard core dick riding fans that dont even know what they listen to are exactly the ones that need to be put on to this kinda knowledge, thats hip hop.
look man:
I disagree. This album should stick to it's point, not try to cater to Wayne fans.
Remember, this is the guy who made "Lollipop", and calls himself the greatest.
Atlien10:
On the flip side the whole basis of the song is my generation, since Wayne is teh leader of this generations rap scene, it makes sense in a way of why he would be on this song to give his perspective...
MYLIE:
ATLIEN10 i'm sorry but theres no way in hell lil waynes the leader of my generation. what a awful notion.
Kanye West mybe, but if you really think wayne is hip hop is dead
look man:
I respect your opinion, but I don't really see Lil' Wayne as the leader of this generation of rap (after 2Pac tragedy, and after the -90s). If it was anyone, it would have to be Jay-Z.
10ftvolcanoplant:
of course it was a record label move. just like they have 13 track numbers. im sure the majority of the music lil wayne raps about though is due to his label. i have a feeling hes trying to move away from all of that bullshit though. im sure hes realizing now that hes on a very tight leash. and if he does not obey, the same thing will happen to him as it did michael jackson, tupac...ect
JAH LOVE
NayderTahiphopQueen:
oh dats dpe
MYLIE:
Damian sounds like he really wasn't hes idea to put Wayne on this album and more of the record labels (forced). but he was surprised he did good and didn't rap about hes usual bullshit. Damn... Lil Wayne is everywhere and i'm sick and tired of it.
Gunn Starr:
I Won't be buying this as I really can't see Nas adding to a Damian Marley album. I can never find any passion or genuine conviction in Nas's rhymes. In all honesty if not for illmatic-I wouldn't consider Nas remotely viable. His rhymes are boring.
krome:
Thats what all the haters say... they dont know shit about Nas.. First of all, this isnt a Damien Marley album... its a collaboration you idiot. Its both Nas and Damien's album. Second, if you think Nas' rhymes are boring you must be a Lil Wayne fan and extremely narrow minded. Third, I can tell youre a hater because haters always bring up Illmatic in their arguments against Nas. I bet you haven't even listened to Illmatic. You just mention it because you see everyone else say its his best album. STFU
-617-:
cosign krome
JasonCTown:
Another guy who hasnt gotten past Illmatic. You do know that he has several other dope, critically-acclaimed albums other than Illmatic. Are you just stuck on it....cant understand it....need to rewind it 20 times to 'get it'??? And Im not defending NAS as much trying to understand your persepective. For one, I think NAS gets a B- when picking his beats. Some of them are fantastic, but some are just downright terrible. It doesnt take away from the fact that the brother is ill.
Da, Fella:
Niggas please... Wayne is not on all tracks..... I think its good idea to get Wayne on that Generation Track "song title" and am sure if his verse was whack it wouldnt be featured.... Reggae dont stand for Bullshit! "Good Spit Fella,stop beating up yah chest like a Gorilla" lol
OnLY BuMP OLD ShIT!!_
Darren:
I hate people that hate man there is no reason for it. Wayne he can spit when wants too . and for that one person that compare verses with wayne and nas , kill yourself you act like that is only song and please stop paying attetion to the radio and listen to his real shit. Nas is on talent artist and so is wayne and damion stop hating stfu and listen then judge!
JOE6PACKNCGBORO336:
never seen so much crying about one dam FT on an album shit funny to me like mike epps funny
ImFromDaSouth 239/404:
I'm tired of BITCH NIGGAS CRYN bout what's hip hop or not!! Get the hell on with that shit.. Find what u consider hip hop and listen to that, all the other shit you don't consider hip hop just don't pay atttention to it!! What yall think cause yall keep sayn that shit it's gone change something!! Nah it aint.. Them comments aint gone stop niggas from the SOUTH from getn CHEDDA!!
Amanda:
Yeah lil Wayne is garbage but no matter if he was in 5 songs, Damien Marley and Nas are on such a higher level he couldnt bring them down even if he tried.. So relax and keep supporting Damien, its his album. One Love
BEEZ:
MAYBE THEY LIKE LIL WAYNE! Shit Nas might be the greatest of all time- i love em to death and always ride with him- so who am I (we) to question it. I really cant stand Wayne, and thats partly due to the fact that he does have talent, and yet chooses to clown and minstrel all the time. I think, like Damien (wagwan rude boyz!) alluded to, that he probably came with a nice verse. Like I said, maybe they like him, maybe it's a marketing ploy, but either way is it going to make or break the album? Of course not. If you're a fan of these dudes how could that one feature turn you off to this exciting project? I can't. But I can see it turning youngens ON to it, who prob dont know Damien and aren't as familiar with Nas' material as they are his name. Look at the Little Brother album, that was dope, and even though Wayne's verse was horrible, I still like that song and really liked that album. Would I have rather heard Lupe, as someone mentioned, shit yeah, but you know what, if Wayne is coming with a good verse than its worth it to show that he actually does have a brain left.
But yall web-hoppers, and backpackers, and purists or whatever the eff you call yourselves, need to ease back. In case yall havent noticed, Real Hip Hop is everywhere; from Wale to Sean P, there is mad styles, and who they hell are YALL to say what is and isnt real hip hop or whatever. M'fluckas arguing online about this and that should be ashamed of yourselves. Not saying you should go write a rhyme, cuz there's already to many "emcees", but shit, yall aint got no skills, so shut the fluk up, listen to what you like, and give what you dont think you'd like a chance.
And mind you this is coming from a self-admitted reformed hater. I used to hate people like Luda and Fab. Now, Fab's album was fire, Luda is dope, and I am a hip hop fan cuz I love all kinds of hip hop!
Nuff said.