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May 30, 2007

Stephen Marley's MySpace Secret Show featuring Damian Marley

By CJ
Photos by: Carlington Wilmot

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There's the internet, then there's MySpace. Although the term internet was officially defined on October 24, 1995, the process was in the making since 1961. The Internet today is a widespread information infrastructure that connects the global community regardless of geographic location. Since the advent of the internet, many networking sites were created in the hopes of capitalizing on the instant easy access to the global community. MySpace is perhaps the most successful community site. According to Martin H. Bosworth of ConsumerAffairs.Com, "What started out as a "place for friends" has grown into the definitive social-networking phenomenon."

Many recording artists and bands caught on to the phenomena and use MySpace to communicate with fans and consumers of their music around the world. MySpace recently began another franchise, MySpace Secret Show. From it's inception in February 2006, MySpace users were treated to performances by some of the hot and sometimes new musical acts. The events are free and marketed only to MySpace loyalists. Previous showcases featured Paul Wall, Gym Class Heroes, and Gnarls Barkley. The latest installment was staged on Monday, May 30, 2007 at Studio A Nightclub in Downtown, Miami, Florida. It was sponsored by Chili and Featured Stephen "Ragga" Marley with special guest, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley.
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The line started to accumulate along the front of the Studio A building before 3pm and was close to 1,000 deep as it approached show time. The temperature of the intimate venue, located next to Club Space, Miami's hot spot, was in sync with the hot performances given by the band of brothers. Mr. Cheeks opened in true hip-hop style to the delight of the crowd and this created the momentum for Stephen to begin his two-hour set. He kicked it off with "Strictly Reggae Music" and vacillated between his anthems, Mind Control, It was Written, Hey Baby and some of his father's classics such as "No Woman No Cry," "Buffalo Soldier," and "Exodus."

Ragga, who repeatedly reminded the music lovers that MySpace brought them together, delivered an eclectic set which highlighted his prolific skills from production and vocalists to playing the guitar and drumming. Jr. Gong lived up to expectations as he energized the crowd and delivered his slew of lyrical rampage. The crowd responded to Marleys effectively as they belted out lyrics to each song and gave lighter, cell phone and verbal "bullet, bullet" salute every chance they got. The MySpace featured artistes were fully supported by their family from Steve’s 4-year old son, Jeremiah, who accompanied him on stage and danced while waving the Rastafarian flag for the entire set to The Matriarch of the Marley Clan, Mother Booker, who was in the house to support her grandchildren and everyone in between Older brother, Ziggy, fresh from his successful world tour supporting his monster album, "Love is My Religion", joined the performance for a collaboration. Their sister, Cedella Marley who mainly focuses on the business arm of the Bob Marley brand, was also on-hand. She cheered, danced and gave forwards from the sideline with their brothers Rohan and namesake Robbie Marley as well as other close family friends, before getting in on the on-stage action. Cedella who has matured gracefully, went on stage for a feature on "Could you be Loved." The crowd went into frenzy as Stephen, Ziggy, Damian and Cedella put their spin on the late Gong's classic. Cedella's influence on her protégés was apparent in the choreography and harmonies of the high-energy background singers.
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There was little movement in the packed house as everyone was focused on the historical performance going down in Studio A. The audience was from all walks of life bonded together by their MySpace community networking. The internet and more specifically MySpace have really revolutionized the way information is disseminated and localized the way friends are connected. Through MySpace, friend's friends become friends. Go figure! The overall positive vibration plus the crowds response encouraged Stephen, who is on-tour in support of his latest album "Mind Control," to out perform their previously scheduled 45-minute set. The "MySpacers" enjoyed every minute of the Marleys offerings.

YardFlex.com caught up with Stephen, Damian and Cedella backstage and it was unanimously stated that family support was so natural for them that it fit right into their busy schedule without effort. The camaraderie was evident in their expression of love and unity for each others projects. Stephen, who is also producing Tuff Gong label mates Mr. Cheeks and Illustrate as well as Kymani Marley was quick to point out that his work, creativity and time management came with ease because it's like "being on both sides of the same coin" it goes hand-in- hand. Like Ziggy and Damian, much of his inspiration comes from his environment and meditation and surfaces while he is on the road. Considering that they spend so much of their time on the road bringing their message and music to the masses, it really is astounding that they can still focus and create such profound and positively rich music in addition to supporting other artistes and each other.

Posted by yardFlex at May 30, 2007 02:06 PM


Comments

Posted by: DiJahBritish on May 30, 2007 04:17 PM

MI GLAD DEM HAD FUN...MARLEYS MUSSI DID FIGET SEH DEM DID GET BILLED FOR THE FOOTBALL MATCH HERE IN NEW YORK DI SAME DAY...
BIG DEM UP SAME WAY.


Posted by: Caryanne on May 30, 2007 04:51 PM

Forever~~


Posted by: Yahsonn Tafari on May 30, 2007 05:45 PM

Yes I! Yeah, Keep the love flowing. That I know would be the wish of Father Marley! Demonstrate the love he shared and lived within his time. Keep the Royal Ras Tafari love among the family alive. Let it be the positive Ras Tafari example for the world and the youths to model. We need to see more of this type of family togetherness in these times! Plus it is also time for Ras Tafari to take their rightful place in this world. We need to demonstate the true leadership spirit and livity needed to awaken the minds of the people of the world, to truly experience the powers of the love of the Most High "Yah" Ras Tafari.

H.I.M Emperor Haile selassie I Demonstrated true leadership, we are his children we are Ordained with the responsibilty to bring the flock back to the true shepherd.Continue to Keep Ras Tafari principles and Teachings in the fore-front of Everything you do!! Nuff Raspect !! Ras Tafari!!


Posted by: Cecilia on May 30, 2007 07:32 PM

Stand in Love.. xoxo


Posted by: Wade Cameron on May 30, 2007 10:41 PM

Mi gad seh dem mash up di place. Big up di Marley family.


Posted by: jah mikey on May 31, 2007 07:17 PM

yo respect big up the marley family mi know bob a see the love from above


Posted by: BECCA on June 1, 2007 09:46 PM

NUFF LOVE EVERY TIME... shout out((((( Cedella and all the Marley fam


Posted by: Claudia on June 4, 2007 09:53 PM

wow, wonderful, cantinue to do good musis, stay together as a family and continue to help each other . I do hope that other artistes will patten after wat u folks bring to reggae music, love and togetherness. One Love


Posted by: Raisa Oliveira on June 6, 2007 03:11 PM

It's more wondeful, I watch It, very good, wiht return to Cedella Marley, Her is beautifull, I love your voice, thanks, kisses, Marleys Brothers, I'm live in Brasil.


Posted by: me name kunle 4rm nigeria on June 21, 2007 11:44 AM

ya man damian hope everythg is everythg over island.ya we the nigeria no say u are kipg d raster thg real . but ya no wat u ve never thought of cmg 2 africa ur motherland .thk about ds it a reality thg .blessed 2 u al d marley folk and say me well 2ziggy ,stephy ,bobby,bounty hunter and al of the dude who is kipg d raster thg real


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