2020 will probably be remembered as the year of COVID-19 Corona. However, in the dancehall sphere, I have a suspicion it could be remembered as the year of legendary icon Buju Banton. Following his 2019 Long Walk To Freedom Tour, Buju has re-defined himself within the genre. Not only has he got back to making memorable dancehall and reggae cuts. In addition, Buju has diversified his sound to accommodate the international sound in both Hip-Hop and RnB.
2020 has witnessed Buju collaborate with Canadian Torey Lanez for Trust’s remix along with American Ty Dollar Sign and seen him collaborate with another Canadian duo in DVSN. This has probably been all made possible thanks to his new record label deal with Roc-Nation which has bourgeoned his international audience.
According to Buju’s Instagram, his next collaborative exploit will be with American RnB icon John Legend. It will be the second time the pair collaborate following their 2008 hit Can’t Be My Lover. The track will be the first single to come from Buju’s upcoming 20 track studio album titled Upside Down 2020. The album is set to have a host of producers including Steven Marsden, Bobby Digital, Dave Kelly and Donavan Germain.
Dancehall fans are excited to hear the upcoming track with John Legend. If it’s anything like Can’t Be My Lover, we are in for a treat.
In another not so certain rumour. There is another possible collaboration that has got people talking. Trinidadian/American Nicki Minaj is said to be working on a new song with dancehall princess, Shenseea. Both artists have not responded to the rumour as yet which makes things more interesting. The pair do have something good going for them individually and a collaboration would definitely be a concert filler.
For now, you can look forward to Buju and John Legend’s cut which should be coming out tomorrow, Friday 8 May 2020.
