Buju Banton promises a great night of entertainment at Intimate 2025

Dancehall and reggae icon Buju Banton has promised patrons a great night of entertainment at the second staging of the Intimate concert series which takes place on Saturday, January 4 at Plantation Cove, Priory in St Ann.

"Expect a great night of entertainment, a great night of musical experience, a great night of everything. We're bringing something different every other year, something the fans can look forward to. The concert and presentation will be A1," Banton told Loop News at the launch of the event on Thursday, November 7 at the ROK Hotel in Kingston.

Intimate, which was first held in January 2023, will feature headliners Banton and Beres Hammond.  Romain Virgo, Wayne Wonder and a few surprise guests, will also comprise the lineup.

Banton, who has collaborated with Hammond through the years, spoke about the musical chemistry that he shares with the legendary lovers’ rock singer.

"Beres Hammond has taught me so much ever since I was a young man coming up in the industry, and to be working with him on this level, is a culmination of all of our years of working together," Banton states.

Several members of the entertainment fraternity were in attendance at the launch. They included Agent Sasco, Bugle, General B, Nitty Kutchie and Nadine Sutherland.

Bugle told Loop News that he is happy to be a part of the Intimate lineup.

"Big up Buju Banton, wi haffi represent with all honours. The first time around, I watched the show and it was such a great show. From the production to the calibre of artistes, everything was just, one a dem kinda show deh weh mi woulda love to be a part of. And so, to be able to be a part of the second staging, is really an accomplishment. I am looking forward to just being able to deliver the catalog of songs weh mi have, to the people. Mi know say, mi ago hold a great joy," said Bugle.

Nadine Thomas-Hylton is the Senior Brand Manager for Guinness, one of the partners of the Intimate concert.

"Red Stripe sponsored the event last year and it was really an amazing show. Later in the year, we (Guinness) partnered with Buju for his album launch for Born For Greatness. Buju is an admirer of Guinness and so is Beres. And I thought, what a wonderful way to start 2025 with one of the greatest artistes of all time, who has been aligned with Guinness and his musical partner Beres Hammond. I think the respect between these two gentlemen is so amazing, the respect that they bring to the business of dancehall and reggae is all so amazing. And these are the platforms of which our brands stand. And when we were approached by our partnering brand Red Stripe to support, I couldn't say no. I think it's an alignment that works for Guinness," Thomas-Hylton explained.