City Chic | Island Kick: Buju Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Concert - One of the biggest music events in the Caribbean!

Buju Banton in Concert
Photo Credit: City Chic

Buju Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Concert - One of the biggest music events in the Caribbean!

The Bahamas most anticipated concert of 2019 was an overall success, but many across the diaspora had expressed disappointment over the Bahamas' lineup of artists. Some had threatened to stay home while others asked about refunds. Despite the social media rhetoric thousands showed up on March 30th, at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium excited and ready.

The prices ranged from:- General admission - $65USD; VIP - $125USD; Platinum - $200USD; and All-access - $350USD. All-access sold-out quickly. Skyboxes were $500USD+ & $800USD+ per person.
At a press conference at Breezes Resort, Perez Rolle, a Paradise Productions executive, explained the intention behind the selection of artists from different genres -was to mimic a music festival. He stated:

Buju Banton in Concert
Photo Credit: City Chic

“We would select a particular artist from a genre that we think would appeal to the masses more and so reasoning behind selecting the artist we did chose was to reach a wider demographic. I know Buju himself appeals to the older demographic so, for example, Kodak Black will appeal to the younger demographic. The 16 to 24 age bracket and we want this event to be all-encompassing."

“We don’t want to exclude any age bracket, any group. We want there to an environment where people can come and have different experiences at one venue so that was the intention behind it.”

It was the 2nd stop on the tour, the 1st being in his home town in Kingston, Jamaica. The Long Walk to Freedom (Bahamas) was rendered by Paradise Productions. Though new to most, this production company is well connected; and has existed for years hosting many reggae concerts in the Caribbean, I imagine this has been the largest and most successful.

Buju Banton, who was released on December 8th 2018, from Federal Prison in the US, after serving (8) eight years. The concert was talked about and advertised years in advance, many international attendees booked travel and accommodations as soon as a date was released.

The Long Walk to Freedom (Bahamas) feature performances from rappers #KodakBlack and #LilDuval, popular Nigerian artist #Davido , Jamaican #RitchieFeelings and many Bahamian artists including #Willis&TheIllest, #DJIgnite, #DJStudda & Mix-A-Lot, Kase #1Hunnid, #JahHem.