Buju Banton makes history as first reggae headliner for BET Experience 2025

Grammy award-winning reggae icon Buju Banton is once again cementing his legendary status—this time on one of Black entertainment’s biggest stages.

BET Media Group has officially announced the Jamaican superstar as the headlining act for the opening night of the BET Experience 2025, making him the first reggae artist to lead the festival’s kickoff concert in history.

Set for Thursday, June 5 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Buju’s performance will launch a jam-packed weekend of culture, music, and empowerment ahead of the BET Awards on June 9. Tickets for his much-anticipated concert are already available at BETExperience.com, where fans can also explore other hallmark events like the Roots Picnic Experience and BET R&B Night.

Since his return to the global stage in 2019 after nearly a decade of incarceration, Buju Banton has wasted no time reclaiming his place at the forefront of reggae music. His comeback concert, the “Long Walk to Freedom” show in Kingston, drew over 30,000 fans and featured appearances by some of the Caribbean’s biggest stars. He followed that success with the 2020 album Upside Down 2020, earning him another Grammy nomination and collaborations with international heavyweights like John Legend, Pharrell Williams, and DJ Khaled. Before his BET Experience performance, he’ll also headline Best of the Best in South Florida this May.

The BET Experience 2025 lineup, which also includes hip hop royalty The Roots and Lil Kim, is already generating serious buzz, but it’s Buju’s name that’s making headlines. His presence not only marks a major moment for reggae but also serves as a proud representation of Caribbean culture on a global platform.