NEW YORK – Reggae music recording artist Julian Marley has been nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category for his third studio record entitled, Awake. The Ghetto Youths/Universal release hit streets on April 28, 2009 and was co-produced by Julian and his brothers Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley. Julian “Ju Ju” Marley drew inspiration for Awake from the spirit of Cedella Marley Booker, his grandmother (and Bob Marley’s mother), who passed away in 2008. The gifted singer-songwriter is in the running for the coveted award along-side Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, Gregory Issacs and Sean Paul.
Julian notes, “I am honoured by the recognition and feel Blessed that Awake has made such a bright impression on the Recording Academy. It is with the inspiration of the Most High that I create my songs and I believe that Awake offers an important message to a variety of audiences.”
Recorded at the Lion’s Den in Miami, Florida, and Tuff Gong in Kingston, Jamaica, the music presented throughout Awake is rife with the inspiration of all the family members who have come before. This set of hypnotic beats and soulful vocals was inspired by life and spirituality and incorporates street-energy hip-hop, bubbling dancehall, and a smooth combination of R&B and Julian’s signature roots-reggae sound. The album features collaborations with brothers Stephen Marley on “Little too Late” and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on “Violence in the Street” and rapper Mr. Cheeks on “Oh Girl.”
Born in London in 1975, Julian Marley has been blessed both by his father’s great talent and legacy and by the unique perspective that comes with an upbringing in a multicultural community. Having been exposed to music all his life, Julian recorded his first song at the tender age of five at the Marley family home in Kingston, Jamaica and began writing at age eleven. In 1989, Julian released an independent debut album entitled, Uprising – also the name of his band – but it was the 1996 release of Julian’s Lion in the Morning (Tuff Gong) that launched the talented musician into the public eye.
Julian “Ju Ju” Marley
Julian “Ju Ju” Marley is a skillful veteran performer, producer and songwriter with numerous successful international tours and albums under his belt. In 2009, Julian Marley and The Uprising spanned the globe in support of Awake. Having just finished a major European leg, Julian has extended his Awake world tour with The Uprising to include 2010 performance dates in Europe and in the United States beginning with co-headlining the 2010 Raggamuffin Music Festival in Australia. Sharing the same bill as Julian include music heavy-weights, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Shaggy, Steel Pulse, Sly & Robbie, Sean Kingston, Blue King Brown and others.
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on the CBS network beginning at 8:00 pm (ET) on Sunday, January 31st, 2010.
