Rating: 9/10
About a year ago from now, on December 27th of 2023, YG Marley self-released his debut song “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” – a hit song that reached over 6.2 million streams. Grandson of Bob Marley, a renowned artist from the 70s’, YG Marley has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by becoming an artist who expresses his personal views and culture through music. Despite these high streams and regards, is it really worth the praise of many artists?
Aligned with his grandfather’s musical preference, YG Marley’s debut single is a part of the reggae genre – a genre originating from Jamaica that showcases ideas surrounding cultural unity and peace. Just from the first few lines, “They say the sun a na shine for all / But in some people’s world / It never shine at all,” you can tell that there is a deeper meaning or lesson that can be found in the song.
Even without looking at the lyrics of the piece, the rhythm of the song just makes you want to dance. It has a great beat and its use of the bongo and the drums is so catchy. The use of the guitar in the chorus and verse two is so smooth and subtle, yet noteworthy as well. We also can’t forget the background vocals done by YG Marley’s mother, Lauryn Hill, who provides a noteworthy spin on the style of the song, adding a bit more finesse to the already hype track. All these components add spice to the song, making it better each time you listen to it. I would say it is a great song to vibe to; a type of song for a sunny summer day at the beach. However, the one thing that may be a little off-putting is the repetition of certain lyrics. It’s memorable, but I can understand why people would find this part not as interesting as the rest of the song.
If you ever want a song to just let go and dance to, “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” is it. It deserves all the hype, and it may even surpass some of the works of the original Bob Marley.
