Reggae and rap will collide at the House of Blues this month for what’s sure to be a combustible performance.

Three-time Grammy winner Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, has been performing since his teens. Though his sound is rooted in reggae, Marley practices a talent called “toasting”—an African-based musical tradition of chanting over a heavy beat—that makes his collaboration with rapper Nas a seamless fit.

Nas, whose impressive lyricism has won him recognition on MTV’s Top 10 Greatest Emcees, was also born to a musical father, jazz artist Olu Dara. His nine studio albums, beginning with the critically acclaimed Illmatic, have often featured collaborations with talented hip hop artists. Though his subject matter has been diverse, Nas’ music has remained strongly autobiographical.

On the heels of their new album Distant Relatives, the duo is embarking on a global tour that includes a stop here. The rhythmic melodies of “Jr. Gong” accentuated with the powerful rapping of Nas are the perfect ingredients for inspiring hits.

By Casino Connection Staff