In 1993, performing as Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley, he toured alongside Shabba Ranks on the ragga DJ's World Unity Concert. His debut solo release, School Controversy, faltered, although his lineage led to the track being featured on Epic Records' Positively Reggae: An All Family Musical Celebration.
At the age of 13, he formed his first band, the Shepherds, which also included the son of Third World's Cat Coore and the daughter of Freddie McGregor the group even opened up the 1992 Reggae Sunsplash festival. Damian Marley was only two when his father died, but the youngest of the Marley sons had music deeply imprinted in his DNA.
