Buju Banton and Beres Hammond are setting the tone for 2023 with a show dubbed Intimate Concert on New Year’s Day at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, St Ann.

“What do we do at the beginning of the year in Jamaica? On New Year’s night we used to go to Grand Market; they cut out that. We haven’t had a Grand Market in three years. We used to light off couple ‘clappaz’ [firecrackers] an’ we cyaa do dat no more ’cause Babylon think a shot di people dem a fyah. So come we sing some song, nuh! And celebrate wid music and upliftment,” Buju Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, told the Jamaica Observer shortly after the concert’s media launch on Thursday at the RoK Hotel in Kingston.

The event will also see appearances by Marcia Griffiths, L.U.S.T, one of Buju Banton’s protégés who operates under the moniker Mitch, and more.

This is the first staging of the Intimate Concert, which is expected to be an annual gig.

In the meantime, Buju Banton says though he and his fellow main act are not in the same country, the preparation is going well.

“Beres is not here [because] he’s been doing some stuff in the Americas. However, I am here and I am able to hold the weight for both of us and I do not complain. We want the masses to know that irrespective of what’s going on, our music means representation and I’m able to stand up and represent,” he said.

The two will also be entering the recording booth to establish an album for release next April.

“We’re working on an album coming out next year April. I don’t wanna tell you the title yet, or nothing in that regard, but bear in mind [that] in the last three years we couldn’t talk while we’re learning. So, we spent the last three years learning. Have I learned? Yes. I think I’ve gotten some knowledge to speak on what I’ve seen, experienced and research. Now it’s time to speak. You don’t speak unless you know what you talking about,” Banton shared.

In Hammond’s absence, he sent a video recording that was displayed at the launch expressing his anticipation for the concert and apologising for his absence due to “circumstances beyond his control”.

“I’m looking forward for all of us to start the year proper. The first of January, remember, Grizzly’s Entertainment Complex, I am expecting to see you all,” Beres said in his address.