Distant Relatives

Nas and Damian “JR Gong” Marley are already good friends. They collaborated on the mesmerizing cut "Road to Zion ," off Marley's Welcome to Jamrock. The twosome's debut joint, titled Distant Relatives, is a kingdom of a different color. The album conflates Marley's lonstanding dub-rock aesthetic and Nas' flow. Nas told MTV News that the Distant Relative project stems from his recent efforts in Africa: “We tryin' to build some schools in Africa… and trying to build empowerment.” Marley and his brother, Stephen, produced amuch of the album. The duo recorded the disc with a live band in in L.A. and Miami, with Marley doing most of the production. Proceeds from the album will go to building a school in the Congo and tracks like "Count Your Blessings" reflect on the continent's ongoing unrest.