Buju Banton’s visa was restored earlier this year and many legal professionals have since speculated how the the reggae superstar was able to re-enter the U.S. after cocaine conviction. Well, in his recent Drink Champs interview, Banton shared that he was informed he could collect his visa in 2022, after being deported from the U.S. in December 2018. However, it wasn’t until this year that someone from the “higher ups” cleared the way for him to receive it.
Host N.O.R.E. asked Banton, “How happy were you when they told you you could come back to America?”
The “Driver A” singer replied, “Well, I was elated because, initially, I was told I could never come back. I was permanently banned, and I said to the person who told me that, ‘Let’s see what God will do.’”
N.O.R.E. then asked, “What happened?” Banton explained, “Honestly, my visa to travel to America was sent to me in 2022, but when I went to the Embassy to pick it up, the lady told me, ‘You are permanently banned,’” he repeated. “It wasn’t until this year, 2024, that I was actually given the visa—not from that office, but it was given to me.” When N.O.R.E. inquired, “From the higher ups?” Buju simply winked in confirmation.
Since then, Banton, who is a declared Maroon Ambassador, has successfully staged two nights at the UBS Arena in New York, closing out his Long Walk to Freedom tour. He then embarked on The Overcomer tour, completing five arena dates and rescheduling eight dates until 2025.
At his Washington DC Show at the Capital One Arena on Tuesday, Buju was joined by a delegation of Jamaican Maroons who flew in on Tuesday lead by Chief Richard Curry. The group received warm welcome from the Hip Hop community on social media.
“Welcome to D.C.! You will be well taken care of. You are home!” said hip-hop producer Young Guru, born Gimel Androus Keaton, as Maroon Chief Richard Curry announced that he and a delegation would be joining Buju Banton for his The Overcomer concert in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Banton is signed to Roc Nation, the same label as Guru, who is Jay-Z’s go-to DJ.
Curry, who goes by the title Paramount Chief of the State of Accompong, also known as the Defender of Freedom, Defender of Culture, Defender of Mother Earth, and Defender of the Faith, shared his pride and anticipation for a historic event.
“Greetings to the United States and the Washington, D.C. Massive, greetings to the Moors, Maroons, Tainos, Native Americans, Africans, Rastafarians, and all other indigenous peoples,” his posts began.
He further emphasized the significance of the night, stating, “Tonight Accompong will make its voice heard! Tonight we write another chapter of Maroon history! Tonight the Accompong Maroons and our Government will affirm our rightful position and share our culture of love, truth, peace, freedom, and justice with the world.”
Curry closed with a rallying cry declaring solidarity with indigenous groups in the US, “We are Kindah, One Family… We are Nyankipong Pickibu, Children of the Almighty,” and inviting everyone to tune into his on stage appearance at the Capital One Arena. “DO NOT MISS THE ACCOMPONG MAROON CULTURE GROUP WITH BUJU BANTON LIVE TONIGHT!!!” Finally, reaffirming his leadership, Curry stated, “I am Paramount Chief Richard Currie, and we are the Sovereign State of Accompong.”
At the end of his show, Banton presented a check to the Maroon community on behalf of AG Touring, the company that promoted his tour.
