Buju Banton performing at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica
Grammy Award winning reggae and international icon Buju Banton kicked off the first concert of his Long Walk to Freedom Tour on March 16th. Located at the National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica, the concert marks his first performance after serving eight years in prison for drug related charges. More than 40,000 people from all over the world attended which marks the largest concert in Jamaica’s history since Bob Marley’s 1976 Smile Concert.
Recorded live on Facebook, Youtube, and CVM television, Banton entered the stage dressed in a white suit with his hands behind his back as the audience was screaming and cheering for him. He started off his performance by singing a prayer “Lamb of God Have Mercy on Me” as he fell to his knees. Falling to his knees was a symbolic way of asking God for his forgiveness after the mistakes he made that landed him in prison. Banton quickly got himself back up when the stage lights and the mood changes when one of his hit singles, “Not An Easy Road” came on. With his long dreadlocks swinging freely and dancing around the stage, he and the audience became very energetic during the performance. It then transitions to his next single, “Close One Yesterday.” Both songs describe the struggles that Banton went through in the past decade. Other songs such as “Destiny,” “Hills and Valleys,” “Wanna Be Loved,” “Champion,” and many more came on.
Several of the notable reggae artists joined the stage with Banton such as “Electric Slide” singer, Marcia Griffith, Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond, and U.K. hip-hop and dancehall artist Stefflon Don. All of Banton’s collaborators joined the stage to celebrate his return and performed their hit singles with him. This marks one of the most iconic moments throughout the concert, not only was he performing with them, but he also laughs and shares jokes with them. The moment that stands out the most was after performing with Wayne Wonder when he stated the amount of time he served in prison.“Eight Years, six months, twenty-seven days, thirteen hours, five minutes, and twenty-six seconds” Banton stated without addressing his legal troubles. The National Stadium was where the then eighteen year old Wonder introduced Banton to the world in the beginning of their careers in the early 90s.
Banton closed the concert with his three hit singles, “Driver-A,” “Murderer,” and “Psalms 23.” The two hour performance proves Banton is still one of the greatest reggae and dancehall artists of all time. Despite being away for so long and with the music industry changing, Banton made a historic comeback as a way to not only bring back the 90s reggae and dancehall but set hope for music in the future. For example, he shows his appreciation and love for modern dancehall music while giving advice to the new generation. “I wanna say nuff respect to all the younger generation of youths who kept the music,” Buju stated.“We don’t kill champions, we raise them. We want you to know that Buju Banton loves what you’re doing. Buju Banton want you to find your way, and change it up a bit, and make it… wholesome.”
Overall, the historical concert was very successful and it was worth numerous flights to Jamaica’s Capital along with packed hotels and increasing Airbnb bookings that reached 100 percent occupancy. I think it’s safe to say that is how much the fans and supporters really loves and respects him a lot. Even celebrities such as DJ Khaled, Love and Hip Hop couple Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena, and many other reggae stars and politicians showed up to the concert. His name has been constantly hashtag on social media and being mentioned through the talks of people around the world. It makes sense why Banton decided to name his tour after late former South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. Mandela made an appearance at the National Stadium in 1991 to address the people. Long Walk to Freedom describes the struggles that both men have gone through after spending years in prison and finally entering society of freedom. It was a concert that the fans have been waiting for so long. Banton will be touring around other countries such as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts, and many more throughout the spring and summer.
