Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley Wins Six International Reggae and World Music Awards; Acclaimed Reggae Star to Hit Road Later This Summ

Damian "Junior Gong" Marley
Damian “Junior Gong” Marley
New York City (New York), USA – Grammy award winning artist, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, was a big winner this past Saturday night at the 25th Anniversary of The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), picking up six statues at the prestigious event, held in New York City’s world famous Apollo Theatre, and scheduled for television broadcast later this month.

Nominated for six awards, Marley would not be denied, picking up all six honors, including awards for Entertainer Of The Year, Recording Artist Of The Year, Best Song for “Welcome To Jamrock,” Best Album for  Welcome to Jamrock, Best Music Video for “Welcome To Jamrock,” and the Best Songwriting Award, along with his brother Stephen Marley.The youngest son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian garnered his own place in music history earlier in the year when he became the first ever Reggae artist to win a Grammy outside of the Reggae category, taking home a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative performance for the “Welcome To Jamrock,” single. The acclaimed breakthrough 2005 disc also won a Grammy for best Reggae Album.

Other artists competing and presenting at the 25th Annual International Reggae And World Music Awards included Wyclef Jean, Daddy Yankee, Youssou N’Dour, Beenie Man and others, with more than 150 entertainers and music industry professionals being nominated for awards, voted on by music industry experts around the globe.

The tireless Marley is continuing his non-stop schedule, basking in the tidal wave of acclaim for Welcome to Jamrock (Tuff Gong/Universal Republic). The effusive performer just returned from a raved-about performance at Coachella’s two day music fest in Indio, California, and is also slated for the four day Bonnaroo Music Festival kicking off in Manchester, Tennessee, on June 16. But Marley fans are really gearing up for Damian’s recently announced summer jaunt with rock/folk icon Ben Harper, which kicks off on August 10th in Phoenix, Arizona, and winds up on September 14th at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville Tennessee.

Marley performs his latest single, “Move,” on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, slated to air May 11th.

Author: World Music Central News Room

World music news from the editors at World Music Central

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