Buju Banton and Stephen Marley: Roots and Rhymes Summer Tour 2026

Bujuwas raised by two hardworking parents, the youngest sibling behind 16 daughters. His diligence, charm and charisma were passed down by his father, a factory worker. He inherited his entrepreneurial mind and passionate spirit from his mother, a market vendor with ancestry linked to the West African slave revolters, Maroons. Mama nicknamed her chubby baby after the Jamaican breadfruit Buju. Banton––representative of a fierce deejay––was later adopted by her son. As a youth, Buju studied reggae greats such as Major Worries, Admiral Bailey, Shabba Ranks, PapaSan and Lieutenant Stitchie. He often broke curfew to beg either older deejays for a couple minutes on the mic or security guards for entry into studios like Technique Records and Penthouse Recordings. The latter studio is where 16-year-old Buju recorded his first song, “The Ruler.” Recognized as a reggae prodigy, he was commissioned by DJ sets Rambo International, Sweet Love sound system (owned by Flourgon) to DJ for $100 a weekend. As young Banton’s hustle and connections grew, he linked up with a future great Capleton and began demanding up to $500 per dubplate. The early nineties is when Buju exploded onto the scene, helping catapult dancehall into a global force. Buju’s first underground hit to crossover, “Stamina Daddy,” became the title track for his 1992debut album (the LP was later repackaged and retitledQuick). Buju’s massive follow-up Mr. Mention, which wrought classics like “Batty Rider” and “Love Me Brownin’, ” dropped the same year allowing the rookie sensation to break Bob Marley’s record for #1 hits. The man also known as Gargamel spent the next two decades releasing sterling album after album––Voice of Jamaica(“A Little More Time,” “Deportees”) to the certified Gold’Til Shiloh(“Champion,” “It’s All Over,” “’Til I’m Laid To Rest”), before a succession of Grammy nominated projects preceded Before the Dawn, the 2011 Grammy winner for Best Reggae Album. A new chapter began for Bujuin 2018, when after a seven-year hiatus, he appeared twiceon megastar DJ Khaled’s album Fatherof Asahd. On March 16, 2019, Buju began his “Long Walk To Freedom” tour and made worldwide history, filling Kingston’s National Stadium with over 30,000 of his most loyal fans from around the globe. The tour expanded the market for live reggae performances and paved the road for the new generation of artists. Banton then returned to the studio and gifted the world his twelfth and thirteenth albums Upside Down 2020andBorn For Greatness. Having spent his previous two albums ministering fans across the globe through a Coronavirus pandemic and global imperialism, Buju dedicates his 14th studio album to his home. The commitment of his latest masterpiece is to re-introduce dancehall music to the new generation of reggae lovers. Too Too Bad also ushers in a new era for Buju’s very own label, Gargamel Music. After decades of distribution partnerships with companies like Polygram, Mercury and Roc Nation, Buju is now completely independent. His philanthropic endeavors will only reap more blessings. His Buju Banton Foundation helps shelter over 120 Jamaican boys in foster care (ages 3-18). His 2019 “I Am A Jamaican” campaign raised funds for the 18-year-olds who age out of the system (Upon leaving foster care, each will receive stipends for housing and proper clothes to pursue employment.) The following year, Buju won a MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award for Best Reggae Act. In 2025, his contribution to Bugle’s “Thank You Lord,” alongside Damien Marley, earned him a Caribbean Music Award for Reggae Collaboration of the Year. Buju Banton is in the midst of a blessed revival. He is reinvested in the sovereignty of his music, brand and business. After becoming the first dancehall/reggae artist to sell out the UBS Arena in2024, he is ready for global touring as well as a return to the continent of Africa. Wherever on God’s Earth the great Gargamel decides to carry his message, the mission will remain as sturdy as it stood in 1992:“Reggae music is to uplift, educate and eradicate negativity from the minds of the people globally,” says Banton. “I will never let that change.”

STEPHEN MARLEY

Stephen Marley is a nine-time GRAMMY Award–winning recording artist, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. His career includes collaborations with artists such as Lauryn Hill, Bob Weir, Pitbull, Shaggy, Nas, Jack Johnson, Eric Clapton, Erykah Badu, as well as extensive work alongside his family. He is the second born child to the legendary icon, Bob Marley. His most recent album Old Soul was released in September 2023 via Tuff Gong Collective/UMe/Ghetto Youths International. The acoustic-based project spans multiple genres and cultural influences and features guest appearances from Bob Weir, Eric Clapton, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton, and Slightly Stoopid. In addition to his prolific recording work, Stephen served as musical director for the feature film Bob Marley: One Love (2024). The film received multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, and its soundtrack, Bob Marley: One Love–Music Inspired by the Film (Deluxe), won the GRAMMY Award for “Best Reggae Album” in 2025.Stephen Marley continues to tour extensively throughout the US and beyond. Recent highlights  include a special Bob Marley 80th Birthday performance on Stick Figure’s U.S. Summer Tour, headlining dates and the 25+ date Traffic Jam North American Tour with Damian Marley—including performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl—and The Marley Brothers’ Legacy Tour, marking the first national U.S. shed tour by the brothers in over two decades. This year, Stephen continues on the road touring across the US this year, including a20+ Summer Tour with long-time friend Buju Banton. Stephen is currently in the studio working on multiple projects slated for release in 2026including a major initiative in partnership with the Jamaica Tourism Board for Hurricane Melissa Relief. Beyond his music, he remains deeply committed to philanthropy through the Ghetto Youths Foundation—co-founded with his brothers Damian and Julian Marley—which focuses on empowering underserved communities through education, health, and community develop mentinitiatives.