Stephen Marley has already put out some heavyweight collabs from his long-delayed Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life, including “Rockstone” with Capleton and Sizzla and “Thorn or a Rose” featuring Black Thought. Keeping that spirit going, “Ghetto Boy” features dancehall kings Bounty Killer and Mad Cobra on a riddim that blends twangy, Western-tinged guitars with big dancehall drums and keyboard stabs. Though not necessarily club-friendly, this one is sure to be a crowd pleaser should these three have the opportunity to share the stage anytime soon. And its cinematic scope has us anticipating the mini-movie-style video that we here is in the wings. Also worth noting is the re-emergence of Cobra, who is suddenly more visible internationally than he has been in decades, thanks to this and Major Lazer’s “Night Riders.”
After headlining the annual Reggae on the River festival in California on August 1, Marley will head out on the road with his brother, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley, Jo Mersa and Black-Am-I for the Catch-A-Fire tour starting in Philadelphia on August 29th. Until then, stream “Ghetto Boy” below and tell us what you think in the comments.