Nas and Damian Marley to light up the stage at Avila Beach

Controversial rapper Nas, who said “hip-hop was dead” in 2006, and Damian Marley, the first and only reggae/dancehall artist to win two Grammys on the same night, will perform together at the Avila Beach Golf Resort Oct. 17. The performance will wind down the annual Concerts at the Cove concert series as one of the last performances of the season.

Nas, 37, and Marley, 32, will perform songs from their “Distant Relatives” album, which fuses hip-hop with reggae and includes social commentary on dire situations in the United States and Africa such as health concerns, poverty and dangerous violence.

Nas first broke the news he was working on a collaborative album with Marley at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Both Marley and Nas have African ancestry and a mutual feeling of brotherhood which created a “distant relative” feeling.

During the time, Nas was promoting his controversial solo album “Untitled.”

Nas first gained critical acclaim with the release of his 1994 debut album “Illmatic,” a work that combined struggles in the streets, including gang violence and poverty, with hard-hitting beats produced by renowned producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock.

Nas went on to become one of the main influences in the East Coast hip-hop scene along with rapper Jay-Z, whom he publicly feuded and competed with.

To date, Nas has released nine solo studio albums and will be releasing a tenth next year. His latest album sparked controversy when Nas said it would be simply titled “Nigger.”

Right before the release of the album and after much criticism from other prominent African Americans like Jesse Jackson, Nas changed the title to “Untitled.” The album still featured honest and provocative social and political commentary.

While promoting “Untitled,” Nas also found time to work with Marley on “Distant Relatives.” Nas first worked with Marley on Marley’s third studio album, “Welcome to Jamrock.”

As reggae superstar Bob Marley’s youngest son, Marley has been making music ever since he was 13 years old. He has released three albums and has won three Grammy awards.

His first major label album, “Halfway Tree” earned him a Best Reggae Album award, and his most widely known album, “Welcome to Jamrock,” won him two Grammy awards — Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “Welcome to Jamrock” and Best Reggae Album.

“Welcome to Jamrock” featured firsthand accounts of the political strife and poverty that plagues his home country of Jamaica. After “Welcome to Jamrock’s” success, Marley and Nas were scheduled to release an EP about Africa using a few leftover tracks from “Welcome to Jamrock” and a few of Nas’ tracks, but it turned into a full-fledged album and tour.

Katie Manley, event coordinator for the Avila Beach Golf Resort, said upwards to 2,000 people are expected to attend the event.

“We booked (the duo) because we feel like there is a large demographic that likes Nas and Damian,” she said. The Avila Beach Golf Resort has featured both of Marley’s brothers, Stephen and Ziggy, in the past.

Another Central Coast favorite, Rey Fresco — a band known for its mix of reggae-rock and latin — will be opening for Nas and Damian Marley at the resort, said Shawn Echevarria, bassist for Rey Fresco.

Echevarria wants any Rey Fresco fans to show up because he said having the opportunity to open for a well-known act, such as Nas or Marley, is a big step for the band.

Rey Fresco is also looking forward to playing more shows on the Central Coast at venues such as the Avila Beach Golf Resort, Echevarria said. The Avila Beach Golf Resort has been providing local entertainment for over 20 years with its variety of acts and performers.

Bruce Howard of Otter Productions, Inc., the company that booked the event, said the Avila Beach Golf Resort was the best choice for the venue because it is always beautiful, and closer and easier to drive to than somewhere like the Pozo Saloon (which has seen its share of hip-hop acts like Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube).

“It makes it more convenient (for students), especially if people have a few beers,” Howard said.

Attendees can expect over three hours of music during the entire show with Rey Fresco as the opening act.

The show is open to all ages. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.