Buju Banton and Beres Hammond have both declared that come January 1, they have a musical mission to fulfil – one that they will not take lightly.

Hoping to start 2023 off with a bang, the two stalwarts have joined forces on a show titled ‘Intimate’, and will be hoping to ‘unify the nation’ with their stellar catalogues as they ignite Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann.

Speaking at the media launch for the highly-anticipated event at the ROK Hotel in downtown, Kingston on Thursday night, Buju Banton said he’s looking forward to bringing a closeness never yet witnessed at a local concert.

Highlighting that he hasn’t danced since 2019, Banton said January 1, fans will see a different side to him.

“We haven’t partied in so long. Since 2019, I haven’t danced and I wanna fling some foot. Mi nuh know bout unu but I wah fling some foot,” he said. “It won’t be a night of rambunctiousness, but one of surreal enjoyment and entertainment — something that Jamaica is predominantly known for. Clean entertainment,” he said, before belting out the first line to his classic hit single Love Sponge to prove his point.

“The mission is clear and the mission is simple — unify our nation through an intimate connection. It will be a closeness of people – and not just in Jamaica but for people all around the world – who wish to be a part of this movement,” he continued. “On the 1st of January we wanna start the year right because if we start the year right, chances are we can end right.”

Minister of Entertainment and Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, told the audience that the New Year’s Day event is one that promises to showcase everything good about Jamaica, and is a must-attend event.

“It is my pleasure to be here for the media launch of what surely will be an exciting affair. After two years of social distancing, we look forward to the occasion to be intimate once more. This occasion to be intimate is timely, so I want to salute Buju, Beres, Jermaine (Donovan) and Marlon (Burke) and the entire team for their creative imagination of opening on New Year’s, the first day of the year, with the intimate celebration of what is good about Jamaica,” she said.

Admitting that when she was first approached to have her Ministry be involved in the event, she was a bit hesitant, the Minister said she quickly brushed any negativity aside as the mega talents that are Buju and Beres will always prevail.

“First, when I was approached by Marlon and told of the event and he said Beres and Buju going to headline an event together and he wanted my Ministry to identify with the event, I said to him, ‘Marlon those are two great artistes but yuh know say Buju controversial and I’m going to have to think about it’,” she revealed.

“Buju is my favourite artiste but everytime him open him mouth, I have to defend him. But you know what, creativity and talent are something that we all must appreciate and whatever may be Buju’s personal opinion, he is one of the most outstanding and creative artistes that Jamaica has ever produced and I respect him for that and I love him for that.”

Intimate, the first concert to have Buju and Beres Hammond share a stage outside of cameo appearances in each other’s set, will also feature performances from the likes of Marcia Griffiths, L.U.S.T., Mitch and Sampaloo.