Rebellious Buju to Redemption Crowd: “When Are We Gonna Show Them Who We Are?”

Silent he will never remain. Through music, he has always fought against oppressive voices and the characters who disseminate oppressive information. Buju Banton, on Saturday took the big stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad for Redemption 8. It would be his second performance in T&T, following his release from prison. On Saturday night, though careful with his expressions, Buju remained true to himself and true to the people.

“Listen to me. Everything wa gwan ah foreign, why de Trini get de blame. Why everything ah gwan America, ah de Trini get de blame,” he sang, before adding, “Yuh see all de youth dem, make unno money.” His words sounded almost rebellious and reactive; almost as though he was triggered by something, personally. The artiste then drove his point home with the track, “Deportees.” That was quickly followed by ‘Don’t Be Silly,’ a rational anthem that calls for youths to be mindful amid promiscuity.

THE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING

Buju appeared on stage donned in a personalized blazer. On it were the flags of both Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. His performance followed those of Black Loyalty, Luciano and Beres Hammond. It would make way for the late arrival of Anthony B who, as it was explained, had experienced flight delays en route to Trinidad.

With the stage well set musically by the three artistes who came before him, Buju’s return to the embrace of his massive fanbase in T&T, proved electrifying. Fireworks ushering him onstage, the artiste humbly made his way to the fore singing, ‘Destiny,’ – a song that carries as much meaning, as it does lessons for those young and old. He would remove the blazer in less than five minutes, getting down to the business at hand.

Limitless in his musical approach, Buju took moments in between songs to express feelings of anguish. “Tell government we suffering. We are suffering. Tell the leaders we are suffering. Cause we need jobs, my people are suffering , and we need food, my people are suffering. We need justice, my people are suffering. We need equality, my people are suffering,” he started in song, as he made it to the chorus of his hit single, “How Could You.”

PANDEMIC

The Covid-19 pandemic was also a point that he would not be silent on. “They tried to keep us a part. They destroyed out businesses, destroyed our family members and friends. What happen? This is that time when you the people of the world will have to stand up whether you want to do it today, tomorrow, next week or next year. They have already shown us who they are. When are we gonna show them who we are? Let’s free the people inna this BomboClart,” he said in a revolutionary stance.