Reggae icon Buju Banton made a robust return to Los Angeles final night time, headlining the opening night time of the BET Expertise 2025 on the Hollywood Palladium. The efficiency marked the Grammy winner’s first present within the metropolis in additional than twenty years and drew a sold-out crowd desirous to witness his long-awaited comeback.
Taking the stage along with his signature insurgent vitality and commanding presence, Banton delivered a career-spanning set that reminded followers—each longtime devotees and newcomers—why he stays one in every of reggae’s most enduring figures. Often known as “The Gargamel,” the Jamaican artist has spent over 30 years within the music business, and Wednesday’s efficiency reaffirmed his standing as a worldwide cultural power.
Offered by SheaMoisture, the BET Expertise is a multi-day celebration of Black tradition, mixing music, comedy, and neighborhood occasions forward of the BET Awards on June 9. Buju Banton’s efficiency kicked off the festivities with a robust testomony to the worldwide attain and endurance of reggae music.
The gang, buzzing with anticipation, responded in form to each beat and lyric. From socially aware anthems to dancehall classics, Buju’s message-driven music stuffed the Palladium with each nostalgia and urgency—proof of reggae’s relevance in in the present day’s cultural second.
Subsequent, Banton will make historical past in Las Vegas on June 7, when he turns into the primary reggae dancehall artist to headline at Planet Hollywood. The live performance marks his debut within the metropolis and continues a uncommon string of U.S. appearances from the legendary performer.
As Buju Banton continues this selective stateside tour, every present feels extra like a cultural occasion than a live performance. Rooted in consciousness, tradition, and resistance, his performances function highly effective reminders of the motion he represents—and the hearth he continues to ignite throughout generations.
