Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Jo Mersa & Black-Am-I along with Cham Hit the Road in Support of Chart-Topping Compilation
Ghetto Youths International, the record label founded by Bob Marley’s sons and musicians Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, announces the U.S. Spring 2015 tour Ghetto Youths International Presents Set Up Shop Volume 2, carrying the same name as their recently released compilation. The tour’s star studded reggae line up includes the GYI contingent – Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Christopher Ellis andJo Mersa – as well as Cham. All of these artists are featured on the Set Up Shop Volume 2 compilation, which peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Reggae Album chart.
As the GYI co-founder Stephen “Ragga” Marley told Billboard,
“on this album, my brothers and I share our new music and also showcase a range of new talent that is uprising in reggae. My son Jo Mersa represents the next generation and has a universal sound — blending different genres of music with reggae and dancehall. London-based singer Christopher Ellis inherited elements from his father Alton Ellis’ Jamaican rocksteady era, while mixing it with modern day soul, R&B and reggae. Dancehall vet Wayne Marshall is so versatile and can deejay or sing on any track or riddim, and reggae newcomer Black-Am-I sings from the heart of St. Ann where my father hails from making some of realest roots music. We represent the full spectrum of reggae.”
Throughout April and the beginning of May in the U.S., The Ghetto Youths International Presents Set Up Shop Volume 2 Tour will feature this array of rising talent live on stage. The multi-city stint includes stops in Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and more. See full tour schedule below.
Wayne Marshall
Wayne Marshall – the Jamaican dancehall star unveiled his first full-length album in over 10 years Tru Colors(Jan 2014), which debuted at #4 on U.S. Billboard’s Reggae Album chart. Tru Colors was chosen as one of iTunes Best Reggae Albums in 2014 and received acclaim from the likes of AP, EBONY, FUSE, REVOLT, VIBE, VICE, Rap Radar, The Source and XXL. Associated Press called it “a refreshing curve to the dancehall genre.” Last year, he toured with Stephen Marley and made his national TV debut performance on BET 106 & Park. WATCH his latest videos for “Stupid Money” ft. Assassin, “I Know,” Go Hard” ft. Aidonia, Assassin, I-Octane, Damian Marley, Bounty Killer & Vybz Kartel and “Go Harder” ft. Ace Hood, Cham & Waka Flocka (which received over 2.5 million views on World Star Hip Hop).
Christopher Ellis – the youngest son of the late legendary Jamaican vocalist aka the “Godfather of Rocksteady” Alton Ellis – represents the soul revival with a British-Jamaican sensibility that blends R&B, ska and rocksteady. With production by Damian Marley and penned by Ellis himself, his debut EP Better Than Love was released in Fall 2013 and featured hits likeRoller Coaster andLeft Unsaid. COMPLEX chose the 5-song EP as one of the best albums in November 2013. One of his first major U.S. performances was with with The Roots at OkayPlayer’s ’13 holiday party in NYC.
Jo Mersa – the 23-year-old grandson of Bob Marley & son of Stephen Marley – became immersed into music at 4-years-old, appearing on stage alongside his father, uncle Ziggy and aunts Cedella and Sharon (a.k.a. Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers). He recently released his debut EP Comfortablein June 2014 and the same year toured the U.S. in support of this release with Stephen “Ragga” Marley as well as Slightly Stoopid. Mersa merges reggae with pop, hip-hop and EDM, while showcasing his deft vocals, clever songwriting and flourishing production skills. Jo was chosen as one of 2015’s Artists To Watch by OkayPlayer’s Caribbean site LargeUp and was nominated as The Pier’s 2015 Breakthrough Artist. He has been featured in PEOPLE magazine,Rolling Stone, Yahoo,Complex,VIBE, The FADER, FOX Detroit Morning Show, Fox Miami Deco Drive and REVOLT. Watch his latest videos for “Comfortable” and “Sunshine.”
Black-Am-I – hailing from Nine Mile, JA, is the newest recruit on the label. The roots reggae singer began writing lyrics at 16 and recorded his first demo CD in 2005. His influences include Bob Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Tarrus Riley, Sizzla and Jah Cure. In Fall 2014, Black-Am-I toured with I-Wayne, one of today’s most pivotal figures in roots reggae. He also opened for Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley last summer, performing at large scale music events like the California Roots Music & Arts Festival in Monterey. Listen to his latest single “In The Ghetto.”
U.S. Tour Dates Thu. Apr. 9 in Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts – Wolf Building Fri. Apr 10 in New York, NY @ S.O.B.’S Sat. Apr 11 in Washington DC @ The Hamilton Mon. Apr. 13 in Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA Wed. Apr. 15 in Chicago, IL @ Double Door Fri. Apr. 17 in Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue Sat. Apr. 18 in Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Mon. Apr. 20 in Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre Tue. Apr 21 in Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom Wed. Apr 22 in Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen Fri. Apr 24 in Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Sat. Apr 25 in Portland, OR @ Alhambra Theatre Mon. Apr. 27 in Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst – Atrium Tue. Apr. 28 in Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern Wed. Apr. 29 in Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex Fri. May 1 in San Francisco, CA @ The Independent Sat. May 2 in Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory – Constellation Room
Black-Am-I – hailing from Nine Mile, JA, is the newest recruit on the label. The roots reggae singer began writing lyrics at 16 and recorded his first demo CD in 2005. His influences include Bob Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Tarrus Riley, Sizzla and Jah Cure. In Fall 2014, Black-Am-I toured with I-Wayne, one of today’s most pivotal figures in roots reggae. He also opened for Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley last summer, performing at large scale music events like the California Roots Music & Arts Festival in Monterey. Listen to his latest single “In The Ghetto.”
