Buju Falls Foul of Trinidad Immigration laws, Awaits Exemption before Entry
The Jamaica reggae dancehall star is scheduled to perform in the twin island republic at the ‘I am Legend Concert starring Buju Banton’ on Sunday, April 21th however news coming out of Trinidad is that “Buju Banton falls foul of our immigration laws in Trinidad and Tobago”. With Buju Banton having a criminal record, this means he needs a special waiver to enter Trinidad due to the fact that he was convicted in the United States of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute.
While at a public event on Thursday Stuart Young who is Trinidad’s Minister of National Security stated that Buju Banton will not be granted permission to enter the island unless an application was made for his entry, he states “that they need to make an application to the Minister of National Security for an exemption.” Mr. Young went on to explain that he would personally make an exemption if the request was made in the right way.
In response to the minster’s statement the promoter of the event had this to say “With all systems in place for the massive “I Am Legend Festival”, which will showcase varying areas of Caribbean culture, cuisine and the arts, High Frequency Entertainment, accepting Minister Stuart Young’s assurance of allowance upon receipt of the request, now awaits a final, favourable response,” the release said.
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A second application was submitted today and the promoters are awaiting on a response from the minter or the ministry.
According to reports coming out of Trinidad over 2,000 foreigners had already purchased tickets for Banton’s concert. The show will be kept at Queens Park Savannah.
Ticks are reportedly going for, General Admission: $400 TTD ($58 USD), VIP: $1000 TTD ($143 USD), VVIP: $2000 TTD ($286 USD).
This will be the third show of the much anticipated “Long Walk To Freedom” tour by Buju Banton. Buju earlier performed in Kingston, Jamaica and in the Bahamas.
See Buju show dates and locations below…
KINGSTON, JAMAICA on MARCH 16
NATIONAL STADIUM
Performances from: Chronixx, Cocoa Tea, Etana, Ghost, Romain Virgo, L.U.S.T, Agent Sasco, Delly Ranx & Jahaziel Myrie
NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS on MARCH 30
Location: THOMAS A. ROBINSON STADIUM
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO on APRIL 21
Location: QUEEN’S PARK SAVANNAH
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS on APRIL 27
Location: BARBADOS REGGAE FESTIVAL with Spragga Benz, Wayne Wonder
PARAMARIBO, SURINAME on MAY 4
Location: ANDRE KAMPERVEEN STADIO
ST. GEORGE, GRENADA on MAY 11
Location/Event: NATIONAL STADIUM
TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS on JUNE 15
FESTIVAL VILLAGE GROUNDS
BASSETERRE on JUNE 29
Location/Event: ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
COLOGNE, GERMANYon JULY 6
Location/Event: SUMMERJAM
WATCH: Buju Banton Performing in The Bahamas… March 30th [Video]
Buju Banton Officially Separates Himself From “Boom Bye Bye” Song
Buju Banton has finally remove himself from one of his greatest hit songs “Boom Bye Bye”, due to ongoing protests over the lyrics of the song overseas.
Boom Bye Bye is one such song included in his catalogue, which has stirred much controversy since it was released in 1992. However now Buju had promised to remove it from his Catalogue and no future performance of Boom Bye Bye at events.
Recorded by a then teenage Banton in 1988, the track denounces homosexuals and delineates violence towards them.
The backlash Banton received from the track was almost enough to silence his career as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights groups lobbied for his ban at several concerts
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