Promoters divided on Buju-themed party

Lovers of Buju Banton's music have been celebrating his release since he touched local soil last Friday after serving almost nine years at a US federal prison on drug-related charges.

From street corners to parking lots and roadways, the Champion deejay's music has been the centre of many gatherings for Jamaicans and people across the diaspora and Caribbean. Despite the big hurrah, fans will have to wait until next year to see the 'Gargamel' live in concert. But how about an official Buju Banton party?

Strictly 2K's communications director, IB Konteh, told THE STAR that an all-themed Buju Banton party would be a great way to pay homage to the Destiny singer.

"Some of the biggest reggae and dancehall hits from the 1990s and 2000s are from Buju Banton's catalogue, so I believe all promoters, anybody in the entertainment industry, any way we can show our appreciation or show the value in what Buju represents to our industry and to the music, we should do it," Konteh said.

Strictly 2K is behind events like Strictly Addi and Strictly 2K: Best of the 2000s. The latter is scheduled to be held at Mas Camp in St Andrew on December 29.

Although his team has no immediate plans for a Buju-centred event, Konteh said that they would be honouring the deejay in their own way with a Buju segment that will last for between 20 and 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Bae Vibes principal, Paul 'DJ Stamma' Watson, said that he was bit cautious about such an idea.

"I'm a bit cautious about the whole notion of people celebrating him after him come out and not before. Me feel like this idea should have been executed before. When people did a do 'Strictly Kartel', why dem never do that for Buju?" Watson asked. "When it comes on to Buju, right now I'm inclined to respect him space. Me nuh really waah try tek the opportunity to exploit his brand in a particular way."

Watson added that a surge of such events could have negative outcomes.

"It can be a case where if we have too much of it taking place, it can be overbearing, especially if it's not versatile enough," he said. "I would definitely want to do a show with him and try to create a different musical experience very inclusive of Buju, but I wouldn't want to have a 'Strictly Buju' party," he said.