It's been 13 years since the reggae and dancehall legend Buju Bandon last time he performed in the U.S. Watching the icon dance his way through a 90-minute set at New York City's UBS Arena on Sunday night (July 14), it was almost impossible to believe that so much time has passed.
Buju's Sunday night – the second of his two back-to-back sold-out shows over the weekend – activated one of New York's cultural backbones with a combination of dynamic sets, exciting musical arrangements and an unparalleled passion for the power of love, music and companionship.
Decked out in a white lily and plant combo – which he changed into a white button-up shirt midway through the opening song – Gargamel took the stage with an unmistakable expression of gratitude on his face. The two New York shows marked the singer's first US concerts since he was jailed in 2011 for a string of convictions, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of an offense drug trafficking and the use of communication cables to facilitate a drug trafficking offense
As he went through his extensive setlist, Buju showed love to almost every era of his four-decade career. Timeless anthems like “Champion” and “Wanna Be Loved” echoed throughout the arena with the packed venue singing his lyrics at every opportunity, while more suggestive moments like “Murderer” and “Psalm 23” emphasized vulnerability and raw emotion that have helped Buju become one of the most beloved musical acts across all genres.
During a summer in which the New York block party has shifted from beloved tradition to one of the most pressing topics of conversation on social media, Buju's New York shows served as much-needed reminders of true energy of such concentrations. The crowd that packed Long Island's UBS Arena reflected a proper Brooklyn block party in ways their facsimiles never could. Not only was every generation represented, but it felt like all of Flatbush was in the building. Countless flags adorned the crowd – Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago had particularly strong delegations in attendance – and more than 18,000 people raised their fingers to celebrate a legend.
Naturally, Buju shared the stage with some of his closest friends in the business, bringing out Gramps Morgan, Fat Joe and Remy Ma to surprise the crowd. The moves also highlighted the inherent connection between reggae, dancehall and hip-hop — particularly in New York, which Buju cited as one of the “meccas of reggae music” in Billboard exclusive interview with him announcing his upcoming 14-date US arena trek, the Overcomer tour.
Here are the five best moments from Buju Banton's Long Walk to Freedom New York shows.
-
The Shiloh Band
A strong backing band is an essential element of any amazing live performance and The Shiloh Band rose to the occasion. About halfway through the show, Buju acknowledged that Sunday's show was slightly different from the night before, but that didn't stop the band from seamlessly adapting to his cues and working with him in real time to create individual emotional arcs throughout. during the show. overall narrative.
With no real breaks, the band essentially fashioned songs from across Buju's vast catalog into one big song, effortlessly transitioning between tracks loosely based on theme and rhythm. Some standout instrumentalists in the band included the saxophonist, guitarist and two percussionists – all of whom had extended solo moments that helped the audience enjoy the earthy orchestration of live reggae. Of course, Buju's two singers – one of whom happened to be his younger sister – were also perfect. In fact, the two held down the chorus of 'Wanna Be Loved' while Buju took the sold-out crowd and sang it to him, creating one of the sweetest moments of the night.
-
Buju's birthday surprise
At the end of the show, led by his younger sister, the icon's family flooded the stage to serenade Banton with “Happy Birthday” and surprise him with an onstage cake. Although Banton's actual birthday is on Monday (July 15), the moment capped off an extremely emotional night. Allowing Banton and his fans to celebrate this moment together – especially after more than a decade of waiting for his return – was the perfect end to a night that was always keenly aware of its gravity without ever collapsing under it. the weight.
-
Buju stakes his claim to the title of “Greatest Living Performer”.
By the end of the night, one thing was clear: Once Buju wrapped those stripes around his neck, he was ready to deliver some of the show's most expressive moments. At the age of 51, with almost 40 years of music under his belt, Buju Banton has seen countless iterations of reggae and dancehall, as well as the different styles of stage performances that accompany each of these eras. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the newer school of dance relying on lip syncing to backing tracks instead of performing their music live. Most of the genre's OGs are staunchly against the practice, and Buju's sold-out shows prove exactly why.
Whether pushing his vocal chords to their limits on harrowing renditions of “Murderer” and “Holy Mountain,” or activating his waist for tracks like “Love Sponge,” Banton put his entire body into every song in his set. His New York shows were a masterclass in high-octane performances that weaved together reggae history while also infusing that energy with a deep reverence for both the love of his fans and all that God has helped him overcome.
-
Fat Joe & Remy Ma Bring The Bronx to Long Island
“He was in the car with me and Big Pun. And the car should be like this [tilts aggressively.] Because he wasn't skinny Fat Joe, he was fat Fat Joe!” The New York hip-hop icon jeered as he gave Banton his flowers live on stage, telling the story of their decade-long friendship.
Before bringing Fat Joe onstage for a performance of the Billboard Hot 100-top “Lean Back,” Banton described the ways the rapper used to drive all the way to the Bronx to bring him to New York during a time when he didn't have many friends in town. Remy Ma – who took to the stage to the sound of especially fervent cheers – soon joined in for her verse of “Lean Back”, before moving on to “All the Way Up”, which similarly kept the arena jumping. The best example of how New York's cultural melting pot translates into music, this crossover collaboration felt like an elevation of the city's true character.
-
Gramps Morgan pays tribute to his late brother
From the moment Banton opened the show with “Buried Alive,” it was clear that Long Walk to Freedom New York was going to deal with life's brighter and darker moments. Earlier this year (February 25), Peter “Peetah” Morgan – the lead singer of Morgan Heritage – passed away and Banton made sure to pay tribute to his “beautiful soul” on his show.
To honor the late Peetah Morgan, Banton introduced Gramps Morgan – one of Peetah's brothers – for a stirring rendition of the timeless “Psalm 23”. As the two men walked down the center of the stage hand in hand, belting out lines like “Yea, though I walk through death's dark veil/ Yet I'll fear no ill/ Thy staff and thy staff, are with me/ Surely they comfort still', the UBS Arena had an undeniably memorable moment in reggae music history. Love for humanity drives Buju above all else, and it is this love that has driven him to share his moment with all the people who have captured him throughout his career.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/buju-banton-new-york-concert-5-best-moments/