After years of travel limitations, dancehall artist Beenie Man claims he is finally going back to the US, announcing that his US visa has been restored. Beenie expressed her appreciation and joy for the chance to play in America once more in a Boxing Day video.
“American VISA come, one more time. America we soon forward,” he stated in the video, which also revealed that the Beenie Man Foundation’s football competition had been postponed. He added the following to the caption: “Thank you AMERICA & JAMAICA for this great travel opportunity once again! 🙏🏾”
- Advertisement -
Bridgette M. Bennett, an attorney at the Florida-based Immigration Law Firm Bennett Law Center, apparently contributed to the process by posting a celebration of Beenie’s return on Instagram.
“One of the proudest moments of my career as an attorney!” she noted. “It’s pure magic when my personal passions and profession collide — Congratulations Moses, King of the Dancehall, Di Doctor, Di Girls Dem Sugar, Mr. Sim Simma — wha we say? Stay tuned yaw’ll for ‘The Return of Moses!’”
Since 2015, Beenie has been unable to perform in the United States. His management, Shawn Baptiste of Ciga Records, emphasized the significance of breaking through this obstacle in 2023. “I recognized that he has not been able to travel to the US, which has limited the opportunities,” he told reporters.
The “King of Dancehall” singer added, “Running a business without communication, you end up losing. The communication part was a big downfall because a man with a career like Beenie Man needs a team of persons who not only manage his music, but understand the business, and handle the travel arrangements.”
Beenie’s travel troubles started in 2010 when the United States canceled his visa, along with those of Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Aidonia, and Mavado, all of whom are Dancehall artists.
Beenie’s difficulties continued even after Aidonia and Mavado’s visas were ultimately restored. In 2011, his visa was temporarily restored, enabling him to play at prestigious events like the BET Awards in 2013 and Groovin In The Park in New York. But by 2015, he was once more unable to enter the United States.
The consequences of these limitations were made clear in 2022 when Beenie was booked to perform at many high-profile events in the US, including the LETSGETFR.EE Carnival and the Essence Music Festival. His inability to attend, regrettably, saddened fans.
Beenie, who was nominated for Best Reggae Album earlier this year, was absent from the Grammy Awards event in Los Angeles, most likely due to his VISA status. “Beenie Man would love to be there but, because of certain situations, he is unable to …we all know how life is sometimes,” Baptise stated.
“He will soon step foot back in America,” he claimed.
