Buju Banton received a warm welcome from New Yorkers for his first of two shows in the United States in more than a decade.
Banton’s Long Walk To Freedom Tour, promoted by Live Nation, kicks off today, July 13, at the UBS Arena. Fans were shuttled to the venue in buses and were observed by WMV entering the venue as early as 6:00 PM ahead of the show’s scheduled 8:30 PM start.
The venue announced that both shows on Saturday and Sunday are completely sold out.
Singer Nadine Sutherland made an appearance in Banton’s performance to sing their duet “What Am I Gonna Do.” So did Gramps Morgan, who also gave a tribute to his deceased brother Peetah Morgan.
Buju’s last New York City performance was in 2009 at Madison Square Garden, the last of four sold out Mother’s Day shows between 2006 and 2009.
Banton spent 8 years in prison for cocaine charges and upon his return to Jamaica launched the Long Walk To Freedom concert at the national Stadium in March 2019. He took the concert around the world to Africa and South America. Since 2020 he has released two albums “Upside Down 2020” and “Born For Greatness” via Island/Def Jam Records.
In a seemingly joyful mode, Buju said to the audience of over 19,000, “They said to me, you will never come back to the United States Of America and I said to them let’s see what God will do.”
The performance lasted for over an hour and fans interviewed by WMV after the show rate it “more than 10/10.”
Stay with WMV and on social media as we give you up to the minute coverage of this historic event for the reggae community.
Watch highlights below:
