Praise Jah In The Moonlight

Album: single release only (2023)
Charted: 5 34
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Reggae artist Joshua Omaru "YG" Marley carries the torch of two legends in his veins: Bob Marley, his grandfather, and Lauryn Hill, his mother. "Praise Jah In The Moonlight" is his debut single.
  • Marley sings about love, gratitude, and finding peace in the simple things, all under the glow of the moon. He also calls for a spiritual awakening and resistance against materialism and government control.
  • The song starts with a sample of Bob Marley & the Wailers' 1978 track "Crisis."

    They say the sun shines for all
    But in some people's world, it never shines at all


    This sets the tone for the track, highlighting the contrast between light and darkness, and the idea that joy can be found even in challenging times.
  • "Praise Jah In The Moonlight" culminates in an outro sung by YG's mother. Lauryn Hill's repetitive hymnals of "Give Jah all the thanks and praise" act as a sonic mantra, urging introspective reflection.
  • YG Marley and Lauryn Hill wrote the song and co-produced it with the Seattle musician Johnny G.
  • YG Marley first previewed "Praise Jah" on November 17, 2023, at Lauryn Hill's concert at the Chase Center in San Francisco. He went on to perform the song at several of his mother's tour stops, generating plenty of traction on socials. Fans kickstarted a grassroots campaign for an official release of the track and Marley dropped it on December 27, 2023.
  • When fans got wind of the Bob Marley sample and Lauryn Hill composer and lyricist credits, another viral element was introduced. Fans, already drawn to the song's traditional reggae stylings, embraced the musical lineage woven into its very fabric. They saw a torchbearer carrying the legacy of reggae royalty in his veins. The song hit #1 on Spotify's Global chart, becoming a breakout hit for YG Marley.
  • When "Praise Jah In The Moonlight" debuted at #74 on the Hot 100 dated February 10, 2024, YG became the sixth member of the Marley family to enter the chart. He follows:

    Bob Marley ("Roots, Rock, Reggae")

    Ziggy Marley ("Tomorrow People," "Good Time")

    Ky-Mani Marley (featured artist on Refugee Camp All Stars feat. Pras' "Avenues" and "Gotta Be…Movin' On Up," with Prince Be)

    Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley ("Welcome to Jamrock" and featured artist on Jay-Z's "Bam")

    Skip Marley (featured artist on Katy Perry's "Chained to the Rhythm")

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.