Damian Marley Brings Reggae Vibes To Rapper Common’s ‘What Do You Say’ Remix
American rapper Common, recently enlisted Damian Marley for a Reggae remix of his What Do You Say (Move It Baby) track, featuring PJ, which originally appeared on his A Beautiful Revolution Part One EP which was released in 2020.
Common made the announcement on his social media pages a few days ago, where he wrote of how pleased he was to work with the youngest son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, who now joins a list of collaborators which include Stevie Wonder, Chuck D, Lenny Kravitz, and The Roots’ Black Thought.
“It’s an honor to work with @DamianMarley. This remix took me to another place that I had never been musically. I’ve always been a fan of reggae music and dance hall and to work with one of the greats has been inspiring. This remix makes me want to move even more… Also, s/o to @justpeej for her melodic vocals,” he noted on Instagram.
Common is known for hits such as Glory (with John Legend), Love Is, I Used to Love H.E.R, Retrospect for Life and Gold.
The remix with Marley has also been complemented with a visualization by young Jamaican artist Bonito Thompson.
“We know we’re in good company working with Common…Throughout the years his music has always been uplifting and he always has positive things to say, and that is a big part that we do in our music and our faith. We try to encourage people in the right direction. So we’re in good company and both work for a common cause in that respect. It’s been a pleasure,” Damian said in a statement, according to Rolling Stone Magazine.
According to Udiscovermusic, Damian brought a fresh aesthetic to the project, with his remix giving the song an upbeat reggae feel, transposing his aesthetic onto the groovy original.
In addition to PJ on vocals, Common recruited a core band for the Reggae project which includes Robert Glasper on keys, Karriem Riggins on drums, Burniss Travis on bass, Isaiah Sharkey on guitar.
Common is also quoted in a release as saying that the track was offering “music to uplift, heal, and inspire listeners dealing with racial injustices as well as other social injustices”.
“It’s affirmation. It’s recognition. It’s elevation. It’s music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we need to make sure things do not return to the status quo. The intention of this first EP is to channel all of our pain and outrage into something productive, inspirational, and good. It’s to help lead a movement into our next phase of the work to be done,” he said.
Although this is his first reggae collab, Common is no stranger to Reggae having performed at the Reggae Sumfest music festival in Montego Bay in 2015, in at was his debut performance on the island.
At the time, Common, who says he is inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and Maya Angelou and the group Earth Wind and Fire, had mentioned that he had never worked with a Jamaican artiste before, but if he had a chance, he would love to work with Beenie Man, whom he described at the time as being “dope”.
He had also pointed out that he had visited Jamaica as a child and that he thought Jamaica was beautiful, with fun people and a culture that he respected. In addition he also laid tracks in Jamaica, having visited to record in Port Antonio while working on Like Water for Chocolate, which was his first album for a major label.
“It stood out for me to come there and record and be out by the Blue Lagoon. Jamaica is one of those places where it’s its own place. It’s beautiful, the people are strong, and they got soul,” he said.