Gearing up for another momentous era, GRAMMY® winning, multiple Billboard chart-topping artist, and international reggae icon Buju Banton has returned to dancehall with his intoxicatingly catchy new single, “Coconut Wata (Sip).”
Out now, via Gargamel Music/ Roc Nation Records / Def Jam Recordings, “Coconut Wata (Sip)” is a “vibrant and catchy dancehall track that encourages listeners to stay positive and resilient in the face of challenges,” according to Brooklyn-based, Jamaican entertainment publicist, Ronnie Tomlinson.
“’Coconut Wata (Sip)’ showcases Buju’s distinctive dancehall style, evolution and lyrical prowess,” Tomlinson, chief executive officer of Destine Media, told Caribbean Life on Friday. “Slinky keys set the tempo as Buju urges us to take a break from the stress life can bring and find joy and peace in the simple things.”
“While we a sip coconut water/Well them jus a trip/ We look on them and notice/ How them ship Jus a dip,” Buju sings.
Tomlinson said “the buoyant dancehall beat brushes up against swaggering verses backed by string samples and sun-soaked sonic flourishes.”
She said “Coconut Wata (Sip)” arrives on the heels of the global banger “High Life”, featuring Snoop Dogg.
Tomlinson said Buju continues to pave the road towards a full-length follow-up to 2020’s universally-acclaimed “Upside Down 2020”, which garnered a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Reggae Album” and earned rave “4-out-of-5 star” reviews on both sides of the pond from The Guardian and Rolling Stone, respectively.
Igniting 2023 with a bang, Buju joined Beres Hammond in concert on New Year’s Day at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in Priory, St. Ann, Jamaica.
“It stood as the first time these two reggae stars headlined a concert together on the island,” Tomlinson said. “Plus, it followed his return to the worldwide stage with a much-lauded performance at Kingston’s Famed National Stadium.
“The Long Walk to Freedom Concert was one of the biggest music events in Jamaica’s history and was the launching pad for the tour of the same name,” she added.
Relive the monumental moment from the history-making Long Walk to Freedom Concert at: https://bujubanton.me/lwtf
In 2020, Buju signed to Roc Nation and dropped “Steppa” and “Trust,” paving the way for Upside Down 2020.
The latter featured collaborations with Stephen Marley, John Legend, Pharrell, and Stefflon Don.
Making waves worldwide, he notably notched his fourth career GRAMMY® nomination for the album, Tomlinson said.
Buju’s GRAMMY® winning album, “Before the Dawn”, was released in 2010.
Prior, Tomlinson said he unveiled records at a prolific pace, beginning with his debut in 1992.
Among many highlights, 1995’s “Til Shiloh” was certified Gold by the RIAA.
