Reggae and Dancehall star Buju Banton is set to return to a US stage for the first time in 13 years with a concert titled "Long Walk To Freedom New York."
The 50-year-old Jamaican singer announced on Sunday that the show will take place on Saturday, July 13, at the UBS Arena in Queens, New York. While the guest list hasn't been revealed, the event will be hosted by Dahved Levy and will feature music by Bobby Konders and Jabba. Tickets will be available starting this Friday.
The UBS Arena, an indoor venue that opened in 2021, has a concert seating capacity of up to 19,000 people.
Earlier this month, Banton announced that he had been granted a visa to return to the United States, making this concert possible.
This will be his first US performance since January 2011, when he held the 'Before The Dawn' concert at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, Florida, which drew about 10,000 fans, according to World A Reggae. The 'Before The Dawn' album, released in September 2010, won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in February 2011.
Banton spent most of 2010 on remand following his 2009 arrest after a DEA informant provided evidence of his involvement in a cocaine deal in Florida. He was released on bail in October 2010 after his first trial resulted in a hung jury. He was later convicted in February 2011 for illegal possession of a firearm and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. A judge subsequently dismissed the gun charge and reduced his prison sentence to seven years.
Banton was released and deported to Jamaica in December 2018.
The first 'Long Walk To Freedom' concert, held in March 2019, drew over 40,000 people in Kingston, Jamaica.
Over his 30-year career, Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has released 12 studio albums, often focusing on themes of consciousness, justice, freedom, and love.
The seven-time Grammy Award nominee’s first album was 'Stamina Daddy,' recorded in 1992 under Techniques Records. He then released 'Mr. Mention' under Penthouse Records the same year and 'Voice of Jamaica' under Mercury Records in 1993.
His highly acclaimed 1995 album 'Til Shiloh' is considered his best work. Released under Island Records and Loose Canon, it was produced by some of Jamaica’s top Reggae and Dancehall producers, including Donovan Germain, Dave Kelly, Bobby ‘Digital-B’ Dixon, Sylvester Gordon, and Steely and Clevie.
'Til Shiloh' spent 104 weeks on the Billboard Reggae Album chart, peaking at No. 2 in October 1995. On its 25th anniversary, July 18, 2020, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Inna Heights, released in 1997, was his second album under Penthouse Records, followed by Unchained Spirit under Epitahph Records in 2000, and Friends For Life under VP Records and Atlantic Records in 2003.
Too Bad (2006), Rasta Got Soul (2009), and the Grammy Award-winning Before The Dawn (2010) were all released under Gargamel Music, while his latest album Upside Down 2020 was released by Gargamel Music in partnership with Roc Nation.
His most recent album, Born For Greatness, was released in September 2023 under Gargamel Music/Roc Nation.
His highest charting songs in the US and UK include "Make My Day" (1993), "Champion" (1995), "Paid Not Played" (2003), "Driver A" (2007), "Holy Mountain" with DJ Khaled, Sizzla, and Mavado (2019), and "Memories" with John Legend (2020).
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