International Buzz
Archived: Amid Caribbean-Wide Hype, Incarcerated Reggae Superstar, Buju Banton Stands Firm.
Buju Banton has been behind bars since 2009.
One year ago, reports surfaced that there would be an early release for incarcerated reggae hit maker, Mark Myrie, best known as Buju Banton. This week, fans of the entertainer were again reminded of their Caribbean superstar’s imminent release, this time being informed that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has slashed a year off his sentence, placing his release date as December 8th, 2018. According to previous reports, the ‘Optimistic Soul’ singer had originally been scheduled for release in December 2019.
The latest Federal Bureau record states that Myrie will be released in December next year.
On his BujuOfficial Instagram account on Tuesday, a simple image of the entertainer was captioned, “To thine own self be true.” There was no semblance of excitement or confirmation of any media reports. Three days prior, the account reflected greetings from the incarcerated star on the occasion of the New Year and beneath it, over 50 comments suggesting that the man many believe to be innocent of drug related charges, would soon be free.
In Trinidad and Tobago- the place Buju Banton last performed before being arrested and charged in the United States, the excitement could not be tempered. With every news report, in recent months of the possibility of the artiste’s early release, there have been cheers of anticipation for what many know will be the biggest concert to hit local shores, possibly ever. Buju Banton’s fanbase remains in tact in Trinidad and Tobago and across the world. His music has stood the test of time and when all else fails DJs understand that Gargamel’s countless hits, never do.
The wait has been long, however with one year to go, we anticipate that the man many love for songs like, “Not An Easy Road,” “Shiloh,”, “Till I’m Laid To Rest,” and “Untold Stories,” will bring much wisdom and inspiration to the youth of the world, when he is reunited with the people whose hearts have held him close for so many years.
International Buzz
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International Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band Shares Feel Good Soca Vibes on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk.
Internationally acclaimed, Trinidad and Tobago band, KestheBand scored big points, delivering a vibrant, culturally rich performance on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. The pre-recorded showcase was uploaded to YouTube, for the viewing enjoyment of over 12 million, on Friday, May 8th. It was recorded at NPR Music Headquarters in Washington, DC.
The set featured classic Soca hits including ‘Hello’, ‘Fallin’, ‘Rum and Coca Cola’, ‘Jolene’, ‘Cocoa Tea’, ‘Wotless‘ and ‘Savannah Grass’. Also featured in the spotlight were three other Caribbean musical superheroes – Calypso Queen, Terri Lyons, Ace pannist, Dane Gulston and St. Lucia’s very own, Teddyson John. Their accompaniment added both visual and acoustic appeal to the showcase, likewise the men who musically embellish Kes The Band.
Lead vocalist of Kes the Band, Kees Dieffenthaller, reflecting on the historic moment for the band, said it was an honor. “Performing at Tiny Desk is an incredible honour that we’ve dreamed of for a very long time. This moment is a powerful reminder of how far Caribbean music can travel when it stays true to its roots. To strip it down, feel every note, and share that energy with the world in such an intimate space—it’s something we’ll carry with us for the rest of this journey.” Dieffenthaller added, “We are vessels of sound and song, and this moment is so much bigger than us: it’s about our culture, our people, and our joyful connection we bring through music.”
NPR Tiny Desk host and series producer Bobby Carter praised the band’s performance. He need that Kes the Band brought something truly special to the NPR Tiny Desk, defining that special something as a sound that feels both deeply rooted and globally resonant. He said that ahead of Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrated across the US throughout June, Kes The Band’s performance is a celebration of Caribbean culture in its most dynamic form.
The outstanding showcase comes as KestheBand completes the European/UK leg of the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour, which officially kicked off in Paris, France on April 30th – including historic sold-out dates in London and a double-run in Amsterdam. The tour, hosted in collaboration with Live Nation and WME, is set to kickstart its North American journey with Seattle, Washington State on May 28th and marks the beginning of an expansive international journey connecting audiences through Caribbean sound and spirit.
