Last year, Buju Banton made a huge return with Upside Down 2020, a 20-track project that sees additional appearances from Stephen Marley, John Legend, Stefflon Don, and Pharrell Williams — it was Banton’s first official LP since 2010’s Before The Dawn. The release landed at the number two spot on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart.
Today, the dancehall legend makes his first official entry for this year’s warm weather months with “Summer Body,” which is co-produced by Mark Anthony Myrie and Lloyd James Jr., and is sure to get everyone moving in the clubs — now they many of them are reopened post-quarantine.
Earlier this month, Banton made a visit to Zane Lowe’s Apple Music show, where he provided his own personal playlist filled with classics by Dennis Brown, Junior Byles, Benjahmin Steele, and more — his Upside Down 2020 standout “Unity” was also included in the mix. During the interview, he was also asked about being compared to the late Bob Marley, something that he doesn’t take for granted:
“I always think in my mind to be compared to a great man like ‘Gong’ is a honor, more than a privilege but I need the opportunity to be me.”
In related news, Banton was recently honored in Jamaica for his charitable contributions — last month, two children’s homes — Mount Olivet Boys’ Home and Sunbeam Children’s Home — surprised him with a visit as a thank you for his donations. They even gifted him with pottery vases and a framed, hand-drawn portrait for Father’s Day, to which he happily responded:
“I am so humbled, surprised, and happy for your heartfelt gesture. I have helped a lot of people. Sometimes we forget good deeds. But you boys remember me and have chosen to surprise and honour me for Father’s Day. Wow! I thank you all so very much. Blessings!”
Press play on “Summer Body” below.