Two-hour Buju performance well received

Embattled artiste supported by Jamaican compatriates

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

Buju Banton, his lawyer, David Markus and fellow reggae artiste Gramps Morgan, all shared the final minutes of what was a good Buju Banton and Friends Concert held on Sunday night.

Banton, while allowing music to be his voice, also pointed at the more serious nature of the problems he faces.

Markus's entrance on the stage at the end of Banton's performance was symbolic.

"Nuh watch him skin colour, him black like we!" Banton screamed.

Not long before that Banton, during a performance with Wayne Wonder, hinted that his incarceration was not just about his alleged illegal actions.

Taking jabs at his persecutors, Banton bellowed: "Why do you wish to see the Banton cry? Is it because I said Boom Bye Bye? Is it because I say Rastafari? Is it because I'm black and I'm not shy?"

Many in Jamaica have voiced the opinion (whether or not this has any basis in fact is another question) that Buju's anti-gay songs in the past have made him a target, with the result being a run-in with the law.

The large stage which was set up downtown Miami, was graced by not only some of reggae's young, upcoming stars, but also seasoned veterans, and hip hop artistes who all had their mind set on one topic, celebrating what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Mark Myrie, a man they had all come to know and respect for what has now been decades of musical excellence.

On a night when female performers were almost nil, Nadine Sutherland managed to inject some excitement with Action. She also remembered the late, 'Cool Ruler' Gregory Isaacs in song as she did her rendition of Meet Me At The Corner, in a short but exciting set.

The captain of the ship, Freddie McGregor, also represented well with a solid set of hits, which seemed to connect with the crowdas fans waved hands to Push Come To Shove, I Was Born A Winner and Big Ship.

Of the few songs he sung, Mykal Rose also welcomed cheers for his set. Rising reggae artiste, Gyptian, quickened his pace and rushed through his set. Tarrus Riley also shined on the night as he, along with saxophonist Dean Fraser, delivered an entertaining set to patrons.

Buju's widespread influence on artistes, proved itself once again as a group of hip-hop/rap artistes comprising of DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes and a few others all represented for the Banton. Throughout their performance they told of how influential the man also known as Gargamel had been on their careers.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. (Jamaica Time) when Buju Banton made his humbled entrance to the stage, cheers rang out through the night sky and hands shot up, littering the air.

With the aid of three back-up singers, Buju delivered a good mix of old hits and newer songs from his latest album, the Grammy-nominated Before The Dawn.

It was the older songs, however, which seemed to resonate with the audience - the throng less familiar with Banton's newer tracks.

Dancing across the stage throughout a marathon two-hour performance, Banton was a symbol of energy. He would only slow his pace for short drinks of water.

With a full house, hungry for hits on their hands, the trio of Damian Marley, Stephen Marley and Buju Banton delivered in fine style renditions of popular reggae songs.

From his extensive catalogue of hit songs, it could be said that Destiny, Til I'm Laid to Rest and Mr Nine were the most well-received. Those songs, in fact, were the ones which sparked the sing-alongs which the crowd occasionally felt obliged to produce.

Banton had not been seen on stage in some time, and on Sunday, a bumper crowd (standing room, save for the VIP section of the audience) let him know he was missed.

The concert had been highly-anticipated and drummed up much support because, Banton, for more than a year had been making headlines for the wonderful music he has been known for producing.

He spent just short of a year in a Florida jail after being arrested on drug-related charges.

A jury of his peers failed to convict him last year but his legal troubles continue, and he is expected to undergo a second trial.

That trial has been preceded by controversy over bail for the reggae star, which was only granted under strict conditions.

Banton has had to pay a security company to keep him under house arrest and the concert was, in part, to help him pay the heavy costs associated with his bail conditions.