The term Bujurama was dubbed by the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica when they dedicated an entire dance segment to Buju Banton’s music and the famous Bogle dance many years ago. This time it was the fans who paid homage as they descended in droves on UBS Arena in Long Island to witness the long-awaited and highly anticipated return of the beloved reggae icon.
We could tell the ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ Tour was going to be something special when tickets to the opening show on July 14, 2024, sold out in less than fifteen minutes of going on sale. Event organisers quickly added the Sunday night show to the bill to satiate eager fans; those too sold out quickly.
On Saturday night, a hungry crowd’s excitement was teased into a frenzy as they rocked to Jabba & Bobby Konders of Massive B. Konders has been selecting reggae music from the ‘90s with PatMcKay, the smooth female voice of reggae music in New York.
Then the moment everyone was waiting for had arrived, and as Dahved Levy of WBLS announced his entrance onto the stage, the now capacity-filled arena was upon their feet. Buju stormed onto the stage looking dapper in a red satin suit, symbolising intensity, passion, or maybe the sacrifice and renewal of spirit he has encountered on his long journey to freedom. The energy in the room was electric.
He covered the entire stage, doing his signature Buju lean, waist gyrations, and swinging of his locks as he danced to classics such as “Dickie,” which he performed with Nadine Sutherland. He mixed his classics with anthems that fans echoed through the stadium, and at times when he ran out of breath, the audience gladly carried the songs.
His set had moving images depicting urban Jamaica, a car for “Driva, and clouds when he placed his locs upon his head like a crown of thorns as he sang “Untold Stories.” As quickly as he made us sad with the reality of today’s political climate, he swept us off our feet with more classics.
It was a night of repentance and reflection. Many times he looked pensive and grateful, and at other times a broad smile would appear as he looked out on his audience with a triumphant grin of satisfaction.
The night concluded on a spiritual note, paying homage to Cece Winans’ “Goodness of God” and a surprise appearance by Gramps Morgan for the anthem, “23rd Psalm,” with a touch of “People Like You.” Buju hit classic after classic for nearly two hours nonstop.
Buju thanked New York for always treating him as family, and as he made his exit, patrons understood that this was simply the first of many to come. Call this a comeback, a return, a revival, a son’s walk back across the coals heaped upon his head. Call this a comeback, a return, a revival, a son’s walk back across the coals heaped upon his head. Call it what you may, Buju Banton’s historic return to NY was nothing short of epic.
