Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley Posts Highest Debuting Reggae Album in Chart History

NEW YORK, NY (Universal Motown Records Group) -Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley made history today when his Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Records release, WELCOME TO JAMROCK, entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at Number 7, selling over 85,000 units and making it the biggest opening week for a Reggae artist in the history of the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.

By debuting at Number 7, Marley beat out Reggae/Soca artist Kevin Lyttle whose 2004 release charted at Number 8, selling 84,270 in his first week of release.

Fueled by the title track single, "Welcome To Jamrock" was called "an early contender for song of the decade," by the New York Times, People Magazine gave the release 3 1/2 stars, Entertainment Weekly gave the release an "A", and Rolling Stone Magazine names Marley as one of the "10 Artists To Watch."

Marley's performance this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the announcement that he will open for U2 on fifteen dates on their fall tour, ensure that WELCOME TO JAMROCK will be an upper chart contender for some time to come.

Marley begins his slew of dates with U2 on October 16th in Philadelphia and parts ways with the Irish rock band on November 9th in Oakland, California, playing 15 dates in. Then on November 3rd the Grammy Award winning Marley will embark on his own fall headlining tour hitting 24 cities across the United States.

Co-produced by Damian and Stephen Marley, WELCOME TO JAMROCK features such artists as Stephen Marley, Bounty Killer, Eek-A-Mouse, NAS, Black Thought of The Roots, and Bobby Brown.