Buju Banton has been a mainstay in the reggae genre for over 30 years, and this is his first release in the last decade. Traditionally sticking to dancehall tunes, this album is no different, with a few nice surprises. He employs John Legend, Stephen Marley, and Pharrell Williams on separate tracks, and they all flow extremely well and naturally together. Banton seems to feel a sense of overwhelming purpose, stating "I’m alive, there must be a reason. I was given one more chance, my hearts still beating." This purpose could be to inspire others, and spread good vibes, which he certainly does on "Helping Hand", proclaiming all of us to "lend a helping hand" to our neighbors and those around us.
Release date: June 26, 2020
Similar artist(s): Shaggy, Damian Marley, Gregory Isaacs
Top tracks: Blessed, Helping Hand, Memories, Cherry Pie