NAS Joins Bob Marley's Son For Charity Record

Rapper NAS and reggae star Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley have teamed up to record “Distant Relative” – a collaborative album due for release in June (09). And the dynamic duo will be donating all proceeds from this upcoming album to help build a school in the Congo.


“We’re trying to have a sound that’s reminiscent of both of us, but not exactly like either,” Marley told Rolling Stone.

Both artists were motivated to pay tribute to their cultural roots, so we can certainly expect music with flair coming from Bob Marley’s son and NAS. “A lot of charity albums come off corny. We want this to be something you’d play in your car,” said Marley.

‘Distant Relative’ was recorded at an undisclosed Los Angeles studio over the last several months. Several stripped-down versions of the new songs were unveiled at L.A. Live’s Grammy Museum last month. Both NAS and Marley participated in a Q&A, where they answered questions about their new album and discussed their humanitarian work. Earlier this year, Nas told MTV: “We tryin’ to build some schools in Africa… and trying to build empowerment. The record’s all about the ’hood and Africa.”