New Album – Jan 21 – Wayne Marshall Tru Colors
On January 21, 2014, Jamaican reggae artist Wayne Marshall will unveil Tru Colors – his first full-length album in over 10 years and debut studio release for the Marley label Ghetto Youths International. The 13-track collection, produced primarily by Damian Marley and written almost entirely by Marshall, follows his recent digital-only EP Tru Colors (Ghetto Youths International) and his 2003 LP Marshall Law (VP Records). Tessanne Chin, this season’s winner of NBC’s The Voice and Marshall’s sister-in-law, also contributes lyrics on the album’s closing track “On The End.” Tru Colors will be distributed through Thirty Tigers / Sony Red.
The multi-faceted singjay, songwriter and producer ¬– known for his clever lyrics, melodic cadence and hit-filled repertoire including “Overcome,” My Heart” and “Good Ole Wife” – covers a diverse range of moods, styles and topics on Tru Colors. Taken from a phrase in R.E.M.’s mega-hit “Losing My Religion,” Marshall talks about our choices being essential to our fate on “On The Corner,” backed by a heavy roots reggae rhythm. He calls out all fake friends on the title track and urges strugglers to keep their heads up on the R&B/gospel-tinged “Nah Give Up” featuring Tarrus Riley. On “Be On The Alert” featuring Bounty Killer, he addresses the dramatic increase of missing children in Jamaica over a leisurely-paced one drop riddim. He dreams big on “Success Story,” contemplates life on “In The End” and livens things back up on the aspirational anthem “Stupid Money” featuring Assassin. His swagger also shines on the playful single “I Know,” his massive 2012 hit “Go Hard” featuring Aidonia, Assassin, I-Octane, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Bounty Killer and (the incarcerated) Vybz Kartel, and its new hip-hop flavored remix “Go Harder” featuring Ace Hood, Cham and Waka Flocka.
Check out the video for “Stupid Money” (directed by Maybach Music’s Jon J):
Check out the video for “I Know” (directed by Jay Will):
Marshall wanted a clear vision and plan before releasing his new studio album. He wrote songs with Damian “Jr. Gong” and Stephen “Ragga” Marley before signing to Ghetto Youths International in 2011, and knew their label would successfully execute and oversee his next full-length musical endeavor.
“I feel very good about the songs that we have put together and believe Tru Colors will be a stepping stone towards taking my career to the next level,” Marshall states.
