Buju Banton just made his July 18 UBS Arena show in New York a whole lot harder to skip. The reggae patriarch announced a fresh wave of additions to the lineup, dropping names that span generations of the dancehall and reggae world.
Skillibeng and Lila Iké are the two names that’ll turn heads most immediately. Skillibeng has been one of the most talked-about voices out of Jamaica over the past few years, while Lila Iké has been quietly building a devoted following with her rootsy, soulful take on reggae — two very different energies sharing the same stage.
Rounding out the additions are DJ Norie, Gramps Morgan, and Splackavelli Softouch. Gramps Morgan brings serious reggae pedigree to the bill, which gives the night a multigenerational feel that goes well beyond a typical dancehall showcase.
Buju himself announced the additions directly to his audience on Instagram, keeping it simple and direct — “Make it a date and don’t be late.” That kind of casual confidence from an artist of his stature tends to land differently than a formal press rollout, and his fanbase responded accordingly.
The show is set for a Saturday night, which matters for a New York crowd that treats a good reggae event like a proper occasion. UBS Arena in Elmont has been cementing itself as a serious destination for major acts since it opened, and a Buju Banton headliner with a lineup this stacked fits that trajectory.
There’s a real range of appeal here, which is part of what makes the bill interesting. Fans who came up on Buju’s classic era get Gramps Morgan; younger listeners who’ve been streaming Skillibeng have their reason to show up early. Lila Iké sits somewhere in between, pulling from tradition while clearly building toward something of her own.
