Richardine Bartee
Name: Buju Banton
Representing: Kingston, Jamaica
Genre: Reggae, Dancehall
For fans of: Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Sizzla
Single from: Upside Down 2020
Produced by: N/A
Song of the Day: July 30, 2020
Label(s): Roc Nation/Island Records
If you grew up in the 90s in New York City like me, Jamaican Reggae Dancehall superstar Buju Banton’s voice filled the blocks and led a generation of people who looked to him for guidance. Before he was locked up and imprisoned for “conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine”, he spoke to the diasporic youth, and for the most part, reflected on how they felt and thought. After all, he was a teenager, too. Earlier this month, the Dancehall legend put out a powerful visual for ‘Blessed’, which isn’t afraid to do what he did back then: Talk about the times and address the hard topics. For me, ‘Blessed’ has the kind of beat that makes you move, and weaves together the tale of oppressed people who choose to see the happier parts of their lives versus what the world dishes. Watch the video below.
