Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley drops star-studded reggae compilation

Following a rollout over several months that introduced listeners to a series of individual releases, Ghetto Youths International unveiled the complete No Better Riddim on Friday, Oct. 16.

Produced by Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the 16-track compilation brings together some of reggae’s most distinctive voices while celebrating Jamaica’s one-riddim or “juggling” tradition, according to Brooklyn-based, Jamaican-born entertainment publicist Ronnie Tomlinson.

Tomlinson, the CEO of New York-based Destine Media, Inc., told Caribbean Life that the “juggling” tradition is where multiple artists bring their own lyrics, melodies and perspectives to a shared musical track.

“The result is a collection that feels connected without sounding repetitive,” she said. “Across No Better Riddim, established voices and a new generation of reggae artists explore love, relationships, spirituality, consciousness, resilience and personal reflection, demonstrating the versatility of a single riddim when placed in the hands of different storytellers.”

Tomlinson said the road to the full compilation began earlier this year with Jemere Morgan’s “Know Better,” “the release that introduced the riddim’s warm, melodic foundation.

“Ghetto Youths International continued to unveil the project piece by piece, allowing individual songs and artists to establish their own identities before bringing the complete body of work together,” she said.

Tomlinson said among the songs released ahead of the full project are Romain Virgo’s “Lay My Head,” Alaine’s “Love Again,” Pressure Busspipe’s “So Amazing,” Turbulence’s “Twin Flames,” Ghost’s “Coming Again” and Jaz Elise’s “Don’t Spoil Love.”

With the Oct. 16 release, Tomlinson said listeners will now hear the complete vision for the first time, including previously unreleased contributions from Sevana, Chino McGregor, Richie Spice, Medisun, Singing Melody, Da’ville, Zaila Jazz and Queen Omega, before closing with Damian Marley’s instrumental “No Better Riddim (Version).”

At its core, Tomlinson said No Better Riddim celebrates a format that has long been central to reggae and dancehall culture.

“Rather than having an artist simply appear as a ‘feature,’ each performer is given the same musical foundation and the freedom to build an entirely different song around it,” she said.

“Damian Marley’s production provides the common thread throughout the compilation, blending roots reggae sensibilities, lovers rock warmth and contemporary influences while leaving enough space for each artist’s individual character to take center stage,” Tomlinson added.

She said the diversity of the lineup is central to that vision.

“From veteran voices and internationally recognized reggae artists to members of the genre’s contemporary generation, No Better Riddim creates a meeting point between eras while remaining firmly rooted in Jamaican musical tradition,” Tomlinson said.

She said the project also reflects Ghetto Youths International’s continued commitment to reggae music “built around substance, musicianship and authentic storytelling, while demonstrating how the traditional riddim format can continue to evolve for today’s global audience.”