Damian Marley

“I record all night and sleep all day. It started because you're excited about the music and you want to stay up longer, but over 15 years, it's become a habit. In my circle, I think a lot of musicians operate like this. When the place is quiet, you're more creative. I have plenty of people I can call at 4 A.M. and know they'll be up.”

“I like singing all songs, really, but I find that writing social commentary comes naturally.”

“It might sound like I'm a dreamer, but economic models have reached their height of evolution. Technology has evolved. What hasn't evolved is mankind's spirituality; everything is from 3,000 years ago. With spirituality comes morals, a better way of thinking.”

“The U.K. crowds always have a lot of energy, and I've done some milestone shows there that I'm very proud of.”

“Coming where I'm coming from, really, my family name isn't a pressure because, you know, music is not like sports, where you can go and do a hundred reps in a gym and come out and be all buffed up. Music is an expression of what's inside of you. And that's how I make music.”

“We take for granted electricity, water, even concerts. Count your blessings.”

“Everyone is related to Africa; everyone comes from Africa. We are all distant relatives.”

“Everything I've experienced, things that my friends have experienced and we talk about, things that are on the news - all aspects of life are in my message.”

“It's my luck to be at the frontier of what looks to be a resurrection of roots music on the international scene. That's really what reggae music is about: that voice against oppression and struggle.”

“Technology has changed things, same as everywhere. But the economy has changed drastically. When Jamaica first won independence, our dollar was stronger than the U.S. dollar. Now ours is about 90 to one. That's had a big impact on crime and poverty.”