Reggae sensation Buju Banton is back on "the Rock''.

And true to form, the top-billed artist has a message to deliver along with his music at tonight's "Reggae Superfest '97'' at Bernard Park, Pembroke.

Buju's most recent album, "Til Shiloh'', has received international acclaim with hits such as "Murderer'', "Til I'm Laid to Rest'' and "Complaint'' with the late Garnett Silk.

And in a candid interview yesterday with The Royal Gazette , Buju shared his feelings about Bermuda's status as a colony.

"Being independent is the dream everywhere -- in Africa, in the West Indies, everywhere, in every country, state and island,'' he said.

"People fight and die for what they call democracy. But if Bermudians are caught up in being second-class people, if the people don't want to be liberated, no problem. Bermuda has a right to know what it wants.'' Buju also revealed that he will be releasing a new album entitled "Inner Heights'' sometime in August.

The album will feature a few tracks with other reggae artists such as Steve Marley and the up-and-coming Red Rat.

"I wanted to do a song with Red Rat because the big artists never wanted to do any songs with me when I was coming up,'' said Buju.

"But it's a nice vibe, a beautiful vibe,'' he added about the album.

When asked if he had any plans for a long-term impact on the dancehall scene, Buju said he planned on being in the industry for at least the next five to ten years.

"Ten years from now I'll be just ready to sing some music for the people, and I shall be like a thorn to enemies,'' he said.

In addition to delivering positive messages through his music, Buju has also set up "Operation Willy'', an organisation in Jamaica that helps children who have contracted the AIDS virus.

"We do it not so the world can see, but because we see the plight of the people and we need to help them,'' he said.

When questioned about the "Boom Bye Bye'' -- a song in which he advocated killing homosexuals -- controversy surrounding him a few years ago, Buju simply responded: "What is done cannot be undone.'' Buju also encouraged the youth of Bermuda to "try and get at some of the hidden truths''.

"It's not all about ABC and the cow jumped over the moon, and dancehall and sound-clash,'' he said.

And the crown prince of dancehall said life in the music industry is not that different from any other career.

"Some try to use the music for a negative purpose, and I have to use it for a positive purpose,'' he explained. "It possess more than riddim... there's a message in the music.'' "Just like any other business, you've got to know the art of war,'' he added.

Tonight's concert, scheduled to start at 9 p.m., will also feature the Shiloh Band, Anthony B, Frankie Paul, and Baby Cham as well as local artists Elephant Child and Fat Jaw.

Tickets for the Youth Promotions and Capp Productions event are $40 in advance and $45 at the gate.