Buju Banton drops ‘Summer Body’

Jamaican international reggae icon, Buju Banton.
Jamaican international reggae icon, Buju Banton.
Photo by Shawn Theodore

Grammy award-winning, multiple Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping and international reggae icon, Buju Banton has dropped a new single “Summer Body” with the overall message of having “a little fun” and enjoying life.

“As we enter the hottest season of the year, this track is set to be the premier anthem of the summer,” Ronnie Tomlinson, the Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based entertainment publicist, of Destine Media, Inc., told Caribbean Life.

“Emphasizing on the freedom that comes with the summer season, Buju Banton champions for females to enjoy themselves,” she added. “’Summer Body’ defines the mood for many women who are yearning to return to the outdoor festivities.

“Celebrating life, removing doubt and restrictions is the underlying message throughout this single,” Tomlinson continued.

Produced by Banton himself, alongside dancehall staple Jon Jon, “Summer Body” features Buju’s “quintessential deejay style over a hardcore dancehall riddim, setting the tone for the soundtrack of Summer 2021,” Tomlinson said.

She said the single borrows signature sounds from the 90s reggae dancehall era that Banton emerged from, “yet seamlessly fusing the contemporary sound of the present cultural landscape.”

Following the success of his “Long Walk to Freedom tour,” Banton released his Grammy-nominated album, “Upside Down 2020.”

In hosting 20 tracks, featuring Stephen Marley, John Legend, Pharell Williams and Stefflon Don, the press lauded his return, declaring him “A national hero”, according to FADER.