One of my favorite albums is titled “Distant Relatives,”
released in May 2010, which is a collaboration album released by Nas and Damien
Marley. This album was created to raise money for schools in Africa and to
present the message that all people are from Africa and are all distant
relatives of each other. This album has 13 tracks which use live bands and DJ’s
to produce these tracks. They also sample music from African musicians such as Mulatu
Astake and K’Naan. They do a great job of mixing hip hop and reggae into a very
unique sounding style. I personally was lucky enough to see them on their tour
together when they passed through my home town of Santa Cruz California. It was
easily one of the best shows I have ever seen. They managed to have a live band
with strings, drums, horns, and keys who were also accompanied by a DJ. The way
they set up the show was very smart as well. They would start with both of them
on stage playing songs they made together then one would drop out and the one
left on stage would play some of their iconic solo songs. They would use this
pattern throughout the whole show. During many of these transitions the band
would solo. This allowed their show to have more power and less downtime during
their set. They would take minor breaks throughout the set to tell the crowd about
their goal with the album to raise money for schools in Africa and to help provide
an understanding to the people of this world that we are all brothers no matter
what you look like or what religion you practice. The set was so well put
together it had you guessing what song they would play next. Nas and Damien Marley
to this day still will tour together so if you hear of them coming through your
town buy a ticket because it is a must see show. You will leave satisfied, open
minded, and touched. You will leave satisfied, open minded, and touched.
By Nik Quarnstrom
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