Tuesday, July 18, 2023
It was a weekend of birthday celebrations as Nigerian superstar Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu known worldwide as Burna Boy — fresh from his sold-out show at New York’s Citi Field — celebrated his 32nd at a private event in Ocho Rios on Friday. And reggae icon Mark Anthony Myrie known professionally as Buju Banton followed suit on Saturday with an intimate affair for his 50th.
“This is the best birthday I ever had,” Burna Boy said when the King of the Dancehall Beenie Man hit the stage at Pearly Beach, Ocho Rios on Friday night as part of the “African Giant’s” private birthday party. And, after witnessing performances from dancehall artistes Skeng, Tommy Lee Sparta, and hitting the stage to Drift with Teejay, the sentiment has likely increased ten-fold. The Sittin’ On Top Of The World singer has been on the island since Tuesday enjoying some R&R by day and hitting up different party spots at night.
The next day saw friends and family joining Buju Banton at his famed Gargamel studio as the Grammy-award-winning artiste toasted the big 5-0! The gold and black-themed event, hosted by veteran music selector Garfield “Ricky Trooper” McKoy, paid homage to the reggae legend. Buju Banton brought the event to a memorable close with a performance of his 1997 hit Destiny, backed by The Shiloh Band and harmony singers Adena Myrie and Nicole Bolt.
Page 2 is still in celebratory mode.