BVI News

Reggae legend comes through | Buju Banton appeases thousands in RT

The thousands of Mark ‘Buju Banton’ Myrie fans who herded at the festival grounds in Road Town were appeased after waiting till minutes after one o’clock on Sunday morning for the reggae star to make an appearance on stage.

Before he made the featured performance, acts such as Cocoa Tea, ‘Jah Jah City’ singer Capleton, the ‘Rapture’ sensation Koffee, the ‘Virgin Islands Nice’ artiste Pressure and others had patrons dancing to their hits.

Buju’s performance started with his song ‘Our Father In Zion’ before transitioning to his 1997 mega-hit ‘Destiny’. 

From there, the eager crowd, many of whom had been gathered at the location before 6 pm on Saturday, erupted in cheers of enjoyment — creating a rippling echo across the territory’s capital. 


Buju — clad in a pair of khaki pants and a matching plaid shirt — went on to reel off other major hits such as ‘Close One Yesterday’, ‘Champion’, ‘Till I’m laid To Rest’, ‘Give I Strength’ in a set that lasted till 2:30 am on Sunday.

Last night’s show on Tortola is part of the reggae singer’s international Long Walk To Freedom Tour since his near-decade incarceration in the United States.

The tour began in his home country Jamaica on March 16. He has since performed in The Bahamas, Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname and Grenada. He is slated to perform next in St Kitts, Germany, Amsterdam, Switzerland, France, and Belgium.

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47 Comments

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  1. EV says:

    Congratulations on your successful music career.

    Now while you have so many of our people in your musical captivity, do try to teach and enlighten them about their glorious and rich past and ancestry, the love of self and African identity, and the love for Africa, our beloved homeland in particular.

    Teach them about and to practice love for their fellowman and to do away with hate and oppression of each other in all forms in this here our existence.

    Many are called, but few are chosen.

    Now that you are, hope you will contribute something meaningful to the upliftment and mental/psychological advancement of the Black mind here in the diaspora.

    We are still a people in deep psychological suffering. Hope you will use your calling and music to forge a path towards mental enlightenment of our people.

    Continued happy and productive music journey.

    Like 16
    • @EV says:

      Have a look at my below post:

      https://www.bujubantonfoundationworldwide.org

      MISSION STATEMENT

      GIVING LIGHT TO YOUTH LIVING IN DARKNESS OF POVERTY. THROUGH PROVISION OF FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION. THUS ENSURING THEY TOO HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED

      SLOGAN

      Giving Help & Hope!

      FRIENDS OF THE BUJU BANTON FOUNDATION

      At the Buju Banton Foundation we work in collaboration with friends of Buju Banton Foundation(volunteers, collaborators) to provide skills training, talent development, educational empowerment and other sustainable assistance to youth in Jamaica.

      Like 17
      • EV says:

        Pleased to learn. Thanks.

        Let’s us remind ourselves of the wisdom and goals of our ancestors, that we may pass them to the next.

        Upward always, backward never!!

        In closing:

        “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

        “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”

        “Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men.” [Hon. M. Garvey]

    • speak says:

      How many times have you been to Africa,, how long have you spent in your “homeland”

      Me I have spent a few years there working and its a s**t hole much prefer the Caribbean

      Like 9
      Dislike 16
      • @ speak says:

        identical to the mind of yours.

        Can’t fool all the people all the time.

        Most know better.

        Thanks for the insightful and progressive contribution.

        Poor tang!

      • @ speak says:

        Y are you so negative with this good start of a conversation.

      • Hmmm says:

        Well thank the europeans for getting you out of there. oh wait you already thank them by taking their last names yours is not ojo anymore.

        • Eh? says:

          Where do these ppl come from posting this sort of s**t. I wish uploading a picture was mandatory bet your punk a** wouldn’t have posted that comment then. Who’s thanking anyone for a last name? Caribbean African West Indian however we choose to describe ourselves would always have a last name it’s not thanks to no one! I wish ….. boy the slap that would connect! You ppl come here and hide like snakes in the grass…. these are OUR islands not the US we aren’t afraid of you or any of your slithery friends. Our police BLACK, our ministers BLACK our teachers BLACK Lawyers BLACK! Stop hiding in the grass man come out. If someone can leave those sorts of comments they surely have that disease called racism. Please wear your KKK outfit in public for all to see. Thanks!
          Now F off!

        • @Hmmm says:

          Please do some research for even your own sake so you don’t go around displaying your moronic tendencies. Africans were forced and brutally taken from Africa and were FORCED to take on the names of the European slave masters. They could not insist on keeping their names. Those who tried to runaway were again terrrorized, mutiliated and the list goes on. The sad thing is there are people like you with that mentality living among us. Why do you come here to live and you know the majority of people are black?

      • woah there says:

        Fair enough, people from the US and this region always banging on about this place called Africa that they never seem to want to support, visit, live in.

        However; vast amounts of that continent (it’s massive and diverse) are simply stunning. Politically, of course, it’s an absolute mess but there is progress in some areas, as well as regression in SA. Then again, millions of Africans would laugh at how rubbish andexpensive our banking is, messing about with cash and cheques and queueing instead of transacting on phones; our internet connectivity is woeful; our infrastructure compared to many African towns; our crumbling building standards are no better than shantytown Africa; many Africans would be horrified at our backward and negative treatment of each other and of the natural environment around us and our terrible food choices.

        Fact is, there is a lot of ignorance about Africa from all races in the rest of the World.

  2. UPLIFTING says:

    This was a very organised and publicised show.

    The audience listened to the no-tolerance of smoking and the phones were the only thing “lit” that night other than being on a natural high from uplifting music.

    SOME OBSERVATIONS:

    – Splendid that the audience started arriving as the gates opened and overall behaved themselves
    – Kudos to the artists for maintaining the positive energy and Buju for seeing the rain as a blessing and keeping the music flowing. Love how he made a valid point about his musical message
    – the stage lighting and sound were soothing
    – the welcoming concierge persons should respect the artists privacy and not be posting pics during their visit or the event. The local news reporters appeared thirsty when greeting the artists with one news reporter up in Buju’s face upon his arrival (this was not an interview). If you are are doing a LIVE, no need to constantly show your face or legs, keep it on the event
    – was of the impression drones were banned; why were drones other than that authorised still flying
    – STOP THE DISCORD: a local news agency chose to post an article on Facebook as the show was beginning highlighting Buju’s past infraction. Being a christian means you believe in Jesus Christ and does not necessarily mean you are saved, so persons giving their view that christians should not have been in attendance seek more knowledge before casting your opinions. For those christians who are of the opinion that it is no place for christians to be, why were you watching LIVE but afraid to comment or LIKE (we can see you) and I am typing as a Christian

    – QUESTION TO CHURCHES: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY. PAY ATTENTION

    – QUESTION TO BELIEVERS OF CHRIST: WHAT ARE WE DOING TO CELEBRATE CHRIST OTHER THAN HOLIDAYS THAT WE HAVE FOUND A WAY TO MAKE ABOUT OURSELVES

    IF YOU NOTE BUJU MAKES IT A POINT TO SHARE CHRIST’S MESSAGE.

    THE MISSION STATEMENT OF HIS FOUNDATION:

    “GIVING LIGHT TO YOUTH LIVING IN DARKNESS OF POVERTY. THROUGH PROVISION OF FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION. THUS ENSURING THEY TOO HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED”

    READ MORE HERE:
    https://www.bujubantonfoundationworldwide.org

    Like 11
    Dislike 8
    • @uplifting says:

      “The audience listened to the no-tolerance of smoking and the phones were the only thing “lit” that night” I stopped reading after that comment because that was a lie. It almost seemed like weed was legalized for the night because police was in the crowd a few steps from where many people were smoking weed openly. I’m not against weed smoking and think it should be legalized but just like cigarette smoking I would prefer if they do it within their own personal space and not have smoke all up in my face without any consideration for other people. Just because you feel like smoking doesn’t mean that anybody else should have to tolerate the scent in our nose and clothes.

      Like 26
      Dislike 1
      • @'@uplifting' says:

        It does not make it a lie because someone else did not experience smoking around them.

        You choose not to read past that being so caught up in your own world.

        Like 5
        Dislike 6
        • Really... says:

          Weed is always expected at these type of events. And that’s without police interference. All ovwr the world this goes on so why you sound surprised!
          But hey…you are entitled to your opinions and observations as well.

          Like 3
          Dislike 4
      • Really... says:

        Weed is always expected at these type of events. And that’s without police interference. All ovwr the world this goes on so why you sound surprised!
        But hey…you are entitled to your opinions and observations as well.

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
        • @really says:

          You can’t say that the audience listened if you did not interact with all sections of the audience. That’s like saying there were no Caucasians because you personally didn’t see one or you section didn’t have any.

    • @UPLIFTING says:

      Would you see Jesus Christ attending something like that? Just a mere question.

      Like 2
      Dislike 7
      • Uplifting says:

        When Jesus asks Levi to come with him, He goes for dinner, “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors​ and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answers, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mark 2:13-17)

        Interestingly enough, the songs were inspirational.

        We are ALL sinners my dear. Each of us should repent daily. We sin and at times do not realise we are sinning.

        Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

        We would not be able to go to a beauty pageant, the movies, watch TV, listen to radio stations, go out for dinner, have our children in cheerleading competitions or attend the kiddie fiesta, go to the High School/College Band Concert with the variety of music played that is gospel. We are around sinners on our job yet Christmas parties are attended with secular music. Each of us have to know what is positive and what sends a negative message and would displease God.

        No-one is saying knowingly sin then pray and attend church every week and expect God to bless us. That’s a mockery.

        I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THIS WEEK TO POST A MESSAGE DAILY (NOT A MEME OR FORWARDED MESSAGE ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA GLORIFYING GOD AND NOT MAKING IT ABOUT THEMSELF – GET OVER THE CHURCH FLOW AND GET INTO THE MESSAGE RECEIVED, SHARED, AND LIVED)

        Like 2
        Dislike 4
        • @Uplifting says:

          The Word also spoke about those who drinks from the cup of God and the cup of demons at the same time. Keep Jesus and God out of your muck. WOLF IN SHEEP CLOTHING. You want to partake in the Devil’s affairs, go ahead but don’t put Jesus as part of that. LIAR ?

        • @Uplifting says:

          ? ? ?

          Like 2
          Dislike 1
      • Here This says:

        Something Like whatttt? Uh… Dont even start that self righteous thing here. Stuppesssss.

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
      • Anonymous says:

        As a christian I would say that is a personal decision. Buju Banton sings mo Although Jesus mixed with all types his aim was never to fit in, he always had a goal. Bi

      • Hmmm says:

        Yes! I can Jesus attending for his way of thinking ain’t like ours. Remember his story and what’s hes about.

      • LIT says:

        WOULD YOU SEE JESUS CHRIST????? Strups why people always ga bring he name into things? Instead of coming on here to say whats the godly thing, yall “Christians” need to talk to your pastors and ask them, why yall aint doing anything to bring money into the territory or support your territory? Why do people have to bring in people to make money? All of which have a “GOD GIVEN TALENT” The Pastors quick to take tides and offerings from you but aint trying to put back what they take. Yall can dislike this but it had to be said. The country hut and shootz people jus trying to make it come back!

        Like 1
        Dislike 1
    • Media says:

      You sound like you’re in the business of the media as well so you know the reporter gets the story. That’s their job. But doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from some perks. Meeting a celebrity is a perk. More power to that reporter. Makes the job even more self satisfying.
      The media agency who posted before the show reported on the facts. That’s what the media does. He was jailed and recently released and this tour comes on the heels of that. How can that not be mentioned and why if it is mentioned it was wrong to do so? Puh-leeze! There was no condemnation of Buju, just a mention of the facts! And they went on to use the event to speak to a piritual situation. Hello! That’s how they chose to cover the event.
      Now, you get back to your paid PR.

      • I see you says:

        @ Media you gotta be the reporter @ Uplifting was talking about LOL Don’t get mad.. uplifting noticed You. LOL

    • Taking note says:

      @ Uplifting. Good questions to the professed believers in Christ. I know of a group of such believers who have a big Evangelistic Meeting coming in the very near future. Attendance will be FREE. The sujects presented will be full of the Truth in God’s Word,there will be soul-stirring music and soo much more. It will be exciting and life-changing. Look out for the place, dates and time of these meetings. What people are seeking for will not be found anywhere else.I plan to be there. The joy of finding and knowing Christ exceeds the temporary happiness that concerts such as the recent big concert brings. While we look at all the economic benefits it brought, money cannot buy happiness. People need hope and strength to face the everyday struggles of life..”Satan is out like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, but I am come that you MAY HAVE LIFE and have it MORE ABUNDANTLY”. I implore all to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.

  3. K says:

    That dude with the yellow/blue strip shirt dayumm!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Where’s the pictures of Obama? Your a bunch of lying sacks of shots. All just to give this bull crap some legitimacy. What was the US Secret Service doing that was “spotted”? All bullshit. Report factual news. Not crap to help concert ticket sales.

    Like 5
    Dislike 22
    • :) says:

      @Anonymous, If you find one person stupid enough to have bought a ticket to the show with the intention of seeing anybody except the performers let us know. You’re just a miserable hater with internet access.

      Like 18
    • @Anonymous says:

      I see Oscar the grouch is at it again.You are such a complainer. Dude, it is not that serious. You are taking things wayyyy out of context man, Relax dude.

  5. Visitor says:

    Had one of the best time. Enjoy the concert. Wishing Buju love as he continue on his concert journey. Thank You BVI for the wonderful weekend.

    Like 24
    Dislike 1
  6. Happy says:

    I am so happy I was at the concert, so proud of the promoters. Very good job, watching it on utube it wasn’t the best. The video person did a terrible job. I love the vibes my only problem was the people seems to be a bit tired and boring. Next time we have to realize that we need to give the performers more vibes. They are performing and putting out them best while people stand up like statue. No matter how good an artist is them still need audience to push them. Not sure if I’m wrong or right just my opinion

    Like 16
    Dislike 1
    • Hmm says:

      Because we couldn’t get High! Look were the tickets was for drinks the when to walk to buy drinks! That’s not encouraging to move! So no drinks, no high even with good music it makes it boring.

      • @Hmm says:

        You might be the boring one if you have to have those things to enjoy yourself. Get a natural high, it would not cost you a thing.

  7. Blah says:

    I’m glad the show was a huge success because a lot of people were doubting especially when there were headlines about the number of visitors that were expected from the show and potential estimate revenue to be made. There was clearly a large number of visitors especially from the US Virgin Islands and the US. There was even a large number of Caucasian visitors in the show and throughout the week and especially Saturday you could see the positive and negative effects from the show. Traffic was increased and there were numerous vendors selling tshirts and other Buju related merchandise. The crowd was I would say the largest crowd at an entertainment venue in the BVI. Hotels were filled and even local landlords benefitted as apartments became hotels for the weekend. Restaurants benefited and the late night food vans as well. The ferries got additional revenue that they wouldn’t normally get so overall this was not only a success for the promoter but the BVI as well.

    Like 26
  8. (340) says:

    The show was good man. One of the better shows to come to Tola. Give thanks.

    Like 19
    • Anonymous says:

      Fe real. I dont regret.i dont sorry i spend my $75.00 i feel so good happy for bugu and his crew well done .peace out

  9. Thank You BVI, Maryland says:

    Thank You for the awesome time that we had in the BVI. Everyone that we came in contact with was very nice.The Hotel staff, the locals,taxi service went above and beyond to make us feel welcome.Will be back sometime soon. Thank You again.

    Like 20
  10. MS says:

    Very – Very Pleased and Happy that the Event-Show went off SMOOTH want to have more ones like that – No Crime – No Violence shows that “We the People Are Peaceful”:):)

    Let Us Have More Events Like That One.

    Like 14
  11. musa says:

    this show is over get back to church

  12. Happy says:

    @hmm, I agree totally with you . The drinks part of the show was the worse set up, I didn’t get a drink because it was too hard to get one. kT production also do a good and well planned show so please take notice of that part , the drinks section. Big mistake

  13. Anonymous says:

    Cereal say i am a recording artist name cereal channel road cant done Winston Harris YouTube

  14. Jamaican says:

    All i can say wow wow .it was so nice and peaceful.all the best mr bugu and the crew hope to see you in the bvi soon again .peace out

  15. CW says:

    You can read in some of these hateful and wrongheaded comments and understand exactly why THE BVI IS HAVING SUCH PROBLEMS. YOU CANT EVEN BE HAPPY WHEN SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENS. SHAME ON YOU NAYSAYERS WHO CAST MUCH DOUBT AND BLAME WHILE DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING YOURSELVES. SHAME ON YOU STRUPES.

    FANTASTIC JOB TO THE BVI TOURISM TEAM THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN AMD PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN LOCAL POCKETS.

    REST OF YOU STRUPES KEEP ACTING LIKE IT AMD CALLING NAMES.

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