BUJU’S ‘LIFT the Ban Campaign’ has snowballed into a major movement.

The deejay and his representatives called a press conference at his Carlysle Avenue, St. Andrew, home on Wednesday evening to update members of the media of their progress and to talk about his soon to be released album Rasta Got Soul .

The ‘Lift The Ban’ campaign is a movement to appeal the work and travel restrictions which have been placed on Buju in the United States and England because of his marijuana conviction. The representatives have been gathering the signatures of those who support the deejay and plan to use them as leverage to argue their case.

Yolande Rattray-Wright of the Wright’s Agency, who is one the chief organisers of the campaign, outlined their progress, while co-organiser Tracii McGregor listed figures which boast a ballooning level of support for the deejay both here and overseas.

SIGNATURES

Last Friday, THE WEEKEND STAR reported that the movement started in Brooklyn, USA, roughly four weeks ago and they had managed to gather over 2000 signatures. McGregor reported on Wednesday that since that they have secured hundreds more and some they have not yet counted.

Wright noted that we have to take the steps to protect our artistes, as they are big earners for the country. “We have to help each other, because there is nobody else who is out there fighting for our music,” she stated.

When pressed by The Gleaner on how many signatures are needed, they added that they are not looking for a specific number. “We will keep going; it won’t stop,” McGregor noted. “We already have over 2000 signatures in the U.S. and we expect to have that number here very soon. We will hit Toronto next week, we are already in the U.S. and the Caribbean islands are next.”

“You never give up. If you want something you have to work hard for it,” Wright added.

NATURAL FEEL

In talking about his album, Buju told reporters that the public can expect a more natural feel to it.

“It is an album where everything is natural. We have more live music on it and it is very soulful. There is only one collaboration, the one with Wyclef Jean. It was totally produced by Gargamel Music, so we had the direct input into what type of album it is,” he stated.

He told The Gleaner that they have not set a date for its release, but the focus was on the single Magic City . “Well, we have not yet pinpointed a date for the release cause right now we are focusing on promoting the single. We are also courting some deals to see which one is best suited for the album. We will soon be shooting the music video right here in Kingston. What better place to shoot it?” Buju asked.