Way Back: Distant Relatives (2010)
“Switch up the language, I move to Ghana
Salute and honor, real revolution rhymers”
- Damian Marley and Nas on “As We Enter”
In May 2010, Damian Marley and Nas dropped the collaboration album, Distant Relatives.
After collaborating on Marley’s “Road to Zion” in 2005, the two really hit it off. They realized that they occupied a similar place in a changing musical landscape. They brought songs about black pride, history, and social issues to an industry that was valuing those topics less every year. Nas was so excited about the work that they were doing together that he announced their collaborative album during an interview at the 2009 Grammys.
Damian Marley handled all of the production, playing an array of instruments, and did so with exceptional skill. He gave some roots, a hint of funk, and a strong diversity of sound across the 13 tracks.
Fortunately, this isn’t an awkward union. It doesn’t feel like one musician is haphazardly pulling the other into the norms of his genre. Instead, we’re reminded how closely classic hip-hop and reggae are intertwined. Both artists want to speak positivity to their people, educate the masses, and pay respect to the motherland.
“As We Enter” was the first single where the duo seamlessly passes the mic back and forth like two old teammates on a full court fast break. It’s the most upbeat track and a necessary introduction to what they can do when they join forces.
Come now, we take you on the biggest adventure
“Count Your Blessings” convinces listeners to do just as the title says. Damian and Nas exchange verses on being thankful for what you have, a rarity in contemporary hip-hop.
The highlight of the album is likely “Nah Mean”.Violin meets boom bap on this track where Marley spits some of his hardest bars.
Say man a di real Buffalo inna Rastafari regime
Bush Bungalow is where mi dwell with mi queen
Trash to the bone down inna camouflage green
Nuff a dem that can't go the places we been
This album is one of the last great reminders of the similarities of reggae and rap, we get two of the game’s best teaming up to spread some positive vibes alongside strong messages of activism. Spin Distant Relatives today and you’ll soon realize that spiritually, we aren’t really that distant at all.
