Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley ‘Distant Relatives’ Dates

The tour is in support of the rapper and reggae artist’s upcoming collaborative studio album, Distant Relatives. The album, which was inspired by the duo’s connection to their African ancestry, is set for release May 18 on Universal Republic. Distant Relatives features the “hard-hitting beats and lyrics” Nas fans have come to know so well along with Marley’s “signature instrumentation and musicianship,” according to the album’s Web site.

“We’re trying to have a sound that’s reminiscent of both of us, but not exactly like either,” Marley, the youngest son of Bob Marley, told Rolling Stone.

Marley told the magazine that proceeds from the album will go towards a project in Africa. One idea is using the funds to build a school in the Congo.

“A lot of charity albums come off corny,” says Marley. “We want this to be something you’d play in your car.”

Nas and Marley previously teamed up on the track “Road to Zion,” which hails from Marley’s 2005 album Welcome to Jamrock.

Before officially kicking off the “Distant Relatives Tour,” Nas and Marley will jump on stage May 2 as part of SunFest in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The tour begins on the West Coast May 21 with a gig at Arcata Community Center in California, and wraps up with an Aug.1 performance at Gathering of The Vibes at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Conn.

Additional dates include The Joint in Las Vegas (May 29), House of Blues in Houston (June 8), The Tabernacle in Atlanta (June 12), Tromoya in Arendal, Norway (July 1), Miles Davis Hall in Montreux, Switzerland (July 10) and Tripod in Dublin, Ireland (July 17).

More dates will be added, including a trek through Africa.

Nneka is coming along for the fun as the duo’s opening act.

Tickets go on sale April 2.

Click here for Distant Relatives’ Web site.