Just weeks after surviving a harrowing armed robbery in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands reggae singer Pressure Busspipe is reclaiming the narrative with the release of his first single for 2025. The new track, Long While, a soothing lovers’ rock ballad produced by Troyton Music, premiered with accompanying visuals on Friday, April 4 via the artist’s official YouTube channel. The single is featured on the River Pot Riddim, which has been generating buzz across reggae playlists and digital platforms. It marks a bold and beautiful rebound for Pressure, whose real name is Delyno Brown, as he shifts focus back to his artistry following the traumatic March incident.
The robbery, which took place in the early hours after the controversial Vybz Kartel concert in the BVI, saw Pressure and his entourage held at gunpoint, with valuable jewelry stolen. “I am OK and I am thankful to everyone for their outpouring of love and support,” he told The Daily News, declining to elaborate further. Though BVI authorities initially claimed they had “no reports” of the incident, the release of surveillance footage and mounting pressure from the public have reignited discussions around regional crime, artist security, and government responsibility at large-scale events. Pressure’s decision to remain focused on his music in the wake of the attack has been seen by fans as a testament to his resilience.
With a career spanning over two decades, Pressure Busspipe has become a seasoned campaigner for conscious reggae music emerging from the U.S. Virgin Islands. He first rose to prominence with the 2007 anthem Love and Affection, and has since collaborated with reggae stalwarts such as Don Corleon, Protoje, and Jah9. The USVI, while smaller in population—just over 87,000 residents according to 2023 U.S. Census estimates—has played an outsized role in the global reggae scene, producing artists whose messages echo across continents. As of 2024, reggae continues to earn over US$130 million annually in export revenue for Jamaica alone, according to JAMPRO, underscoring its power as a cultural and economic force throughout the Caribbean.
Long While not only reaffirms Pressure’s musical mission but also signals his readiness to rise above adversity. The visuals, shot in natural island settings, echo the romantic yet grounded essence of the track, reminding audiences why Pressure remains one of the most authentic voices in modern reggae.
