By Kachi Ekile
Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton has revealed that he is of Igbo descent, linking his roots to the southeastern tribe of Nigeria.
Banton, who made the disclosure on the popular Drink Champs podcast, stated that his tribe, the Maroons, are from the Igbo people.
The reggae icon also alleged that the Jamaican way of life is under threat by the current government, adding that the plan is to bring the Chinese and other nationalities to usurp the Maroons.
“Our Indigenous way of life and our land are being threatened by the current government of Jamaica which seeks to bring Chinese and other nationalities into the Cockpit region which is an Indigenous sacred region to usurp us the Maroons as the warriors.
“Maroons are some of the Indigenous warriors on my Island. We fought the British relentlessly.
“We are called Blackmaroons. My generation originated from Nigeria. I am an Igbo man according to my bloodline,” Banton said.
One of the most prominent dancehall, ragga, and reggae artistes in Jamaica, Buju Banton became a household name in 1992 following the release of his albums Stamina Daddy and Mr. Mention.
His album Before the Dawn (2010) won him a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.