The lion roars in Kenya, Buju Banton in concert

Buju Banton alongside his enigmatic 10-piece Shiloh Band performed his first concert in Kenya. Saturday 15th February 2020 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi Kenya. And what legendary night of destiny it was!

A mammoth crowd turned out to watch Buju Banton aka Gargamel live for his second time in Africa but first time in Kenya. The KICC grounds was an iconic symbol of Kenya right next to the parliament.

The opening acts for the night were a mixture of veteran Reggae deejays and MCs. DJs Kace, Double Trouble, Juan, Selector Technix and ZJ Heno with Reggae crooner Lavosti and Fyah Mummah Jahmby Koikai making her first major live appearance since released from the hospital, alongside DJ Xclusive and Teargas The Entertainer turned in a rousing performance just before Buju took the stage at a few minutes to 1 am.

First came in members of his band, ‘Til Shiloh’ and the excitement and anticipation peaked.

His stage production team ensuring everything is seamless. Emerging from his backstage tent wearing dark shades, a gold chain, black t-shirt with matching back shoes, dressed in greyish Ankara suit with matching sunflower patterns. Buju was drowned by a sea of phone lights with crowds of concertgoers straining for a glimpse of the perfect picture and video.

“How are you, Africa?” Buju kicked off with ‘Mama Africa,’ sprinkling candid remarks of his hopes for the motherland. 

The crowd is excited and in unison lifts their hands back to him. Once again the crowd rises to its feet. Jumping up and down we sing along to “It’s Not An Easy Road,” before he breaks it down; “Greetings Nairobi,” his thunderous voice echoes, “It is my first time here and we just want to share this Reggae music with you.”

Our voices rise again as we join him in “Hills And Valleys” and “Lord Give I Strength,” during which the saxophonist and guitarist who had towered to the front pave way for the percussionist with an interlude on a huge djembe drum. Buju is dancing as he takes a turn to hit the djembe.

His production team planned this concert so perfectly and that shines throughout the stage. “Dancehall is diverse,” and the ever-blazing Dancehall medleys from the star hit another peak. Cuts like “Champion” resonate with the younger energetic generation of listeners.

“I do not know how you party in Nairobi, but what I like is a lively party,”  Buju addresses the audience, ”Nairobi are you here to party?”
With that, he burst into “Batty Rider.” After touching a few more Dancehall classics, Mighty Dread is an invitation to be uplifted as rasta.

Switching with his percussionist who pulls forward with the djembe and Buju jumps back at his spot playing the percussion. The upliftment continues with “Better Muss Come.”

Tying his long dreadlocks around his head in a crown-like fashion, Buju does not let the overdose simmer down, quickly jumping 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 builds further with “Browning” and “Black Woman.” “Pull Up The Vibes” is such a joy to behold.

His dreadlocks fall from his head even as he had earlier tried to tie them behind his head as knot and sometimes round his neck as a scarf. His message to Africa is clear, “Preserve and love each other. The battle is ahead.”

The catalog of “Steppa, ” “Nuh Trust”, “Mr Nine, ” “No Respect, ” “God Of My Savlivtion”  and “Driver” prove his legendary status. As the evening builds on, Buju invited out a special guest, Uganda’s Bobi Wine who share with Buju a warm embrace before breaking down into revolutionary music. They tap into the magic of what music can do to create change.

The night is one for the books, Buju is dripping with sweat. He left everything on that stage because that stage needed that energy and vibration, it needed that spiritual awakening and mystical communication.

A few minutes past 3 am, Banton and the Shiloh Band exited the stage and the audience gave a mighty roar of applause. Continuing from Buju Banton, London and Kenya very own Silver Star kept the party going till morning.

Buju Banton’s concert will go down as a milestone in Kenya for the mighty musical genre of Reggae. Surely the strong and steady lion spirit we experienced from Buju Banton on February 15th has given all 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.

Written by Embukane Libosso