Brothers Damian "Jr. Gong" and Stephen "Ragga" Marley are riding high this week with the release of new singles. Jr. Gong's 2012 collaboration with Skrillex, "Make It Bun Dem" (video at bottom of this post), officially reached gold this week, just in time for the release of his new single, "Is It Worth It? (Gun Man World). Take a listen here:
Photo by Wonder Knack
Courtesy of With Love PR
Stephen Marley has also released a new track, "Thorn or a Rose", featuring Black Thought from The Roots, from his upcoming album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life due to be released this summer. Ragga is also gearing up for a U.S. tour in April and May. Stay up-to-date on his Facebook page and listen to this beautiful tune here:
Skrillex and Damian Jr. Gong Marley- "Make It Bun Dem"
Lead singer of the iconic reggae band Third World, William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke, passed away on Sunday in a Miami hospital. He was 65.
According to The Jamaica Observer, The singer had been battling cancer for some time and had missed several of the group's engagements in recent months, but it was thought that we was recovering and would be well enough to travel back to Jamrock soon.
The singer passed away just shy of his 66th birthday, which would have been February 6. He was born in Mandeville and became lead singer of Third World in 1976, replacing Prilly Hamilton. Third World is best known for hits such as "96 Degrees in the Shade", "Try Jah Love", and "Now That We've Found Love", which was originally recorded by American R&B group The O'Jays, and later sampled by 90's rap group Heavy D and the Boys. Other hits include the mellow "Cool Meditation" and one of my personal favorites, "Sense of Purpose", which they performed as a collaboration with Buju Banton on his last studio album before being incarcerated, Rasta Got Soul.
The reggae world has lost a true giant but the music and memories will live on. Please feel free to share your comments below about your favorite Third World songs, memories, performances, etc.
Third World Performing "Sense of Purpose" Live in Germany 1993
