Kenya News
Buju Banton roars in Nairobi
BY EMBUKANE LIBOSSO
Reggae/dancehall star Buju Banton aka Gargamel alongside his enigmatic 10-piece Shiloh Band performed his first concert in Africa following his release from prison on the Valentine’s Day aftermath of Saturday February 15th, 2020 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi Kenya. And what a legendary night of destiny it was!
A mammoth crowd turned out to watch Buju Banton and the Shiloh band live on February 15th in Nairobi, Kenya. This was Buju’s second time in Africa, but first time on the continent since he was released from prison in 2018. After such a long period of his absence in the motherland, Nairobians and reggae lovers from near and far all gathered at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre to witness his magic and energy live on stage.
After much anticipation, speculation and two-time postponement of his show, the concert could not have been held in a more fitting location, the central business district of Nairobi. The KICC is an iconic symbol of Kenya.
The opening acts for the night were a mixture of veteran reggae deejays and MCs from Nairobi. DJs Kace, Double Trouble, Juan, and ZJ Heno, backed by MC Advice warmed up the crowd in small snack-like sets before homegrown reggae crooner Lavosti took the stage. Selector Technix and Fyah Mummah Jahmby Koikai followed Lavosti, making this performance her first major live appearance since being released from hospital.
DJ Xclusive and Teargas The Entertainer gave a rousing performance just before Buju took the stage at a few minutes to 1:00 am. Every one of the supporting acts rose to the occasion, performing as if they knew this was one of those ‘Where were you’ moments in history.
First came in members of his band, ‘Til Shiloh’ and the excitement and anticipation peaked. His stage production team ensured everything was seamless. With: dark shades, a gold chain, black t-shirt with matching black shoes, dressed in a greyish Ankara suit with matching sunflower patterns (designed by Kenya’s fashion designer, Looks like Avido), Buju stepped out to a sea of phone lights.
“How are you Africa?” Buju kicked off with a voyage of Peter Tosh’s ‘Mama Africa,’ rendition, sprinkling candid remarks of his hopes for the motherland. The groovy guitar, backing female vocalist trio (one being Buju Banton’s sister), the soothing chorus and Banton’s chants were the perfect start to the night.
Destiny kicked in to hear his strong voice once again, proud and tall, jumping, raising his hand to the crowd drew such strong emotions from us.
The crowd was excited and in unison lifted their hands back to him. Once again the crowd rose to their feet.
Jumping up and down we sang along to It’s Not An Easy Road, before he broke it down. “Greetings Nairobi,” his thunderous voice echoed. “Greetings Nairobi. Asante. It is my first time here and we just want to share this reggae music with you. “Our voices rose again as we joined him in “Hills And Valleys,” and “Lord Give I Strength.”
“Dancehall is diverse,” Buju reckoned
With that address comes in the powerful discography with “Batty Rider.” After touching a few more dancehall classics, “Mighty Dread,” was an invitation to be uplifted as Rasta. At times, Buju would switch it up by jumping back to take his percussionist spot. The upliftment continued with “Better Muss Come.”
Buju did not let the overdose simmer down. He quickly jumped into “Cry No More,” and “I Wanna Be Loved.” “We want to play something for the ladies. We have to learn to love and appreciate the African woman truly!” The ladies segment crescendo built further with “Browning and Black Woman.”
“Pull Up The Vibes” was such a joy to behold. His message to Africa was clear, “Preserve and love each other. The battle is ahead.”
As the evening energy continued to build, Buju invited out a special guest, Uganda’s Bobi Wine. They shared a warm embrace before breaking down into revolutionary music. They tapped into the magic of music, and what it can do to create change.
He left everything on that stage. The stage needed that energy and vibration; it needed that spiritual awakening and mystical communication.
Buju Banton’s concert will go down as a milestone in Kenya for the mighty musical genre of reggae. The strong and steady lion spirit we experienced from Banton has given reggae musicians and reggae lovers alike in the 254, a second wind for the genre they deeply love.
While watching Banton on stage, the audience experienced that his deeper message was to unify Africans in the motherland and in the diaspora. Without a doubt, Kenyans will be hoping Gargamel returns back to the motherland sooner than later.
Love and blessings from the 254!
Asante (Swahili word for thank you. Swahili is Kenya’s national language and one of the most spoken languages in East Africa).