The music industry is abuzz with the meteoric rise of YG Marley, a promising young talent who is making waves with his debut single, “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.” Released last December, this track has quickly ascended the ranks, securing a coveted position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 22-year-old YG Marley, given name Joshua Marley, is the son of Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley and the grandson of the legendary Bob Marley, thus inheriting a rich musical heritage.
Collaborating with his eight-time Grammy-winning mother, YG Marley unveiled “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” to critical acclaim. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 74 and has steadily climbed to No. 60 in its second week, marking his inaugural appearance on this prestigious chart. This achievement is particularly noteworthy in the realm of reggae music, as YG Marley became the first artist since Jay-Z and Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley’s “Bam” in 2017 graced the Hot 100 chart.
The Marley family’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. YG Marley’s cousin, Skip Marley, previously made waves with his collaboration with Katy Perry, “Chained to the Rhythm,” which reached No. 4 in 2017.
“Praise Jah in the Moonlight” draws inspiration from Bob Marley & the Wailers’ timeless classic “Crisis” from 1978. Its momentum surged after being featured in Lauryn Hill’s 2023 tour, commemorating the 25th anniversary of her seminal debut solo album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” The song’s digital debut on December 27 was successful, quickly topping Spotify’s Global and U.S. Viral 50 charts and accumulating over 75 million streams.
The timing of “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” aligns with the release of the positively anticipated ‘Bob Marley: One Love,’ biopic which premiered on February 14 to widespread acclaim.