Buju Banton revisits dancehall roots on new album Too Too Bad
Key Points(5)
- For decades, VP Records has served as a home for many artists, recordings, and movements that have shaped reggae and dancehall's global reach.
- On Tuesday, June 2, the label hosted an intimate preview event in New York City for Buju Banton's upcoming album, Too, Too Bad.
- Scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, the summer album also marks the year of Buju's return to VP Records.
- In 2006, Buju's Too Bad album resurrected a more dancehall-centered sound.
- Throughout his performance, the seasoned storyteller wove anecdotes that revealed the intentions, inspirations, and collaborations behind every song, including "Butterflies" and "X-Rated," two singles that have already been released ahead of the album drop.
For decades, VP Records has served as a home for many artists, recordings, and movements that have shaped reggae and dancehall's global reach. On Tuesday, June 2, the label hosted an intimate preview event in New York City for Buju Banton's upcoming album, Too Too Bad. Scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, the summer album also marks the year of Buju's return to VP Records.
In 2006, Buju's Too Bad album, resurrected a more dancehall-centered sound. Twenty years later, his new album, Too Too Bad, harkens back to that era as he describes the project as one that captures "the essence of dancehall." Buju Banton's renowned ability to speak to the experiences of the modern, everyday person with an audacious swagger and lively execution kept guests at his preview party in high anticipation of what lyrical gems and musical delights would be revealed during his performance.
Throughout his performance, the seasoned storyteller wove anecdotes that revealed the intentions, inspirations, and collaborations behind every song, including "Butterflies" and "X-Rated," two singles that have already been released ahead of the album drop. The forthcoming album draws from several parts of Buju's musical journey, revisiting many of the sounds and themes that helped shape the dancehall genre while incorporating new perspectives and voices from younger generations of artists like American singer Ari Lennox and Jamaican singer Jaz Elise. Some tracks were dedicated to women and feminine beauty, while others balanced nostalgia with grittier or forward-looking perspectives.
Speaking to the audience, he explained that while the songs are meant to move listeners physically, they also take you on a journey of reflection when you sit with the lyrics. He spoke about wanting to create an album that people can listen to while driving, reminiscing, or simply taking stock of where they have been and where they are headed. Guests were treated to a special guest appearance by fellow reggae performer and featured artist Gramps Morgan, as the two performed the last track on the album — a song meant to remind audiences that the power lies in the people.
Too Too Bad continues a pattern that has defined much of Buju Banton's career: an ability to move between different musical and thematic spaces while retaining his core audience's attention and attracting new generations of international listeners.
