Reggae and Dancehall superstar Buju Banton is set to make history as the first reggae act to have two solo headline arena shows in New York. The Gargamel has added another date to the New York leg of his Long Walk To Freedom concert at the recently built UBS Arena in Queens. The additional show is set for Sunday, July 14, just one day after the originally scheduled performance on July 13.
Banton is the sole announced headliner for the concert and the second show was added he said due to popular demand.
He commented on Instagram saying, “So to the vibes and the energy we are giving New York City another show . Yes two nights only. Seee ya.”
The Arena holds 19000 patrons for concert, and will be the biggest audience for any solo reggae act in New York City history.
Tickets for the event are being sold for upwards of US$500, the most for any roots reggae concert n the city. If all tickets are sold at max capacity for the concert gross receipts are projected to be upwards of US$9 million each night, a record for any solo headline reggae concert in the US.
Ahead of Banton’s performance will be Chris Brown’s 11:11 tour with guest Ayrra Starr on June 14 in the hockey game venue. Doja Cat and Friends, Sexy Redd, Method Man, French Montana, Red Man, Davido and more will be there for Hot 97’s Summer Jam on Sunday June 2.
After New York, the global roots reggae artist is set to embark on an extensive US and European tour with dates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Texas, Germany, Amsterdam and more.
Buju’s last show in the United States was the a charity ‘Before The Dawn’ concert to raise monies to pay his legal cost while he was on bail in January 2011 at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, Florida, which drew approximatley 10,000 fans.
Buju, 50, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has released 12 studio albums, and appeared on several compilations. His most celebrated album, ‘Til Shiloh,’ (Island/Ume) is certified Gold in the US (500,000) having spent 104 weeks on the Billboard Reggae Album chart, peaking at No. 2 in October 1995.
Banton’s single “Champion” (1995), is also certified Gold in Canada.
The ‘Before The Dawn’ album, released in September 28, 2010, won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in February 2011. At the time Banton was unable to attend the pre-show Grammy award ceremony in California due to his trial for illegal possession of a firearm and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute in Tampa the following day.
He was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. A judge later dismissed the gun charge and reduced his prison sentence to seven years. Banton was released and deported to Jamaica in December 2018. He kickstarted the Long Walk To Freedom concert tour in March 2019.
