Buju Banton
Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in a slum near Kingston, Jamaica called Salt Lane. "Buju" is a nickname which is of Breadfruit. The name is ironic in light of Mark Myrie's slim frame and large head, but it is, nevertheless, the nickname his mother gave him as a child. "Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone with a superior attitude and a gift with speech, but it was also the name of a local artist Burro Banton that Buju admired as a child. Read Full BioBuju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in a slum near Kingston, Jamaica called Salt Lane. "Buju" is a nickname which is of Breadfruit. The name is ironic in light of Mark Myrie's slim frame and large head, but it is, nevertheless, the nickname his mother gave him as a child. "Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone with a superior attitude and a gift with speech, but it was also the name of a local artist Burro Banton that Buju admired as a child. It was Burro's rough gravelly vocals that Buju emulated and ultimately made his own. Buju's mother was a higgler, or street vendor while his father worked as a labourer at a tile factory. He was one of fifteen children born into a family which was directly descended from the Maroons, a group of escaped slaves who proudly fought off the British colonialists.
As a youngster, Buju would often watch his favourite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls. At the tender age of 13 he picked up the microphone for himself and began toasting under the monicker of "Gargamel". His first single, "The Ruler" was released not long afterwards in 1987 under the production of Robert French at Penthouse Studios.
In 1991, Buju joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Label and began a fruitful partnership with producer Dave Kelly. Buju is one of the most popular musicians in Jamaican history, having burst onto the charts there suddenly in 1992, with "Bogle" and "Love Me Browning/Love Black Woman", both massive hits in Jamaica. Controversy erupted over Love Me Browning which spoke of Banton's preference for light-skinned women: "Mi love mi car mi love mi house mi love mi money and ting, but most of all mi love mi browning." Some accused Banton of promoting a colonialist attitude and denigrating the beauty of black women. In response, he released "Black Woman" which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties: "Stop cry, fi all black woman, respect all the gyals with dark complexion." 1992 was an explosive year for Buju as he broke the great Bob Marley's record for the greatest number of number one singles in a year. Beginning with "Man fi Dead", Buju's gruff voice dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the duration of the year. Banton's debut album, Mr. Mention, includes his greatest hits from that year.
1992 was also the year in which the controversy over Buju's homophobic "Boom Bye Bye" exploded. The media in Great Britain picked up on Buju's less than admirable promotion of violence against homosexuals. Myrie, who had recently signed with Mercury records, refused to back down from his stance against homosexuals, claiming his religious beliefs prevented him from accepting homosexuality. Banton downplayed the violent content of his song, claiming that it was metaphorical. Gay Rights groups campaigned against Buju as well as Shabba Ranks who, when asked about the controversy on the British show The Word, stated, "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Shabba later apologized, but Buju refused to back down which drew the ire of various homosexual advocacy groups who continue to campaign against him.
Banton released the hard-hitting Voice of Jamaica in 1993. The album included a number of conscious tracks. These tracks included "Deportees" a song which criticized those Jamaicans who went abroad but never sent money home, a remix of Little Roy's "Tribal War", a sharp condemnation of political violence, and "Willy, Don't Be Silly" which promoted condom use. The conscious spin of this disc did little to stop the attacks of gay rights groups who felt that his continued performance of "Boom Bye Bye" was a slap in their faces. Some dancehall fans felt that Banton could have exploded onto the American scene if his homophobic song hadn't held him back. Nevertheless, Buju was adopted by many new fans who appreciated his gravelly vocals and cared little about his homophobia.
Til Shiloh (1995) was a very influential album, using a studio band instead of synthesized music, and marking a slight shift away from dancehall towards roots reggae for Banton. Buju turned Rasta and his new album reflected his new beliefs. Til Shiloh is one of the greatest dancehall albums of all time and successfully blended conscious lyrics with a hard-hitting dancehall vibe. The album included a single called "Murderer" which condemned the violence in Jamaican dancehall music, inspired by the murders of dancehall musicians Panhead and Dirtsman. The song inspired several clubs to stop playing songs with excessively violent subject matter. This conscious album had a large impact on dancehall music and showed the hunger the dancehall massive had for conscious lyrics. Dancehall music did not move away from slack and violent lyrics, but the album did pave the way for a greater spirituality within the music.
Inna Heights (1997) substantially increased Banton's international audience as Buju explored his singing ability and recorded a number of roots-tinged tracks. Banton covered The Silvertones' "Destiny" and recorded songs with such artists as Beres Hammond and the legendary Toots Hibbert. The album was well-received but had distribution problems. Also, some fans were disappointed, having hoped for another ground-breaking album like "Til Shiloh." Still, Buju's experimentation and soaring vocals impressed many fans and this album remains a highly regarded work.
In 1998, Buju met the punk band Rancid and recorded two tracks with them: "Misty Days" and "Life Won't Wait." The latter became the title track of Rancid's 1999 album, Life Won't Wait. Subsequently, Buju signed with Rancid's eclectic Anti, a subsidiary of Epitaph and released Unchained Spirit in 2000.
In March 2003 he released Friends for Life, which featured more sharply political songs, including "Mr. Nine", an anti-gun song that further verified his status as one of reggae's most anti-confrontational artists.
Banton's 2006 album Too Bad got him nominated for a second Grammy but despite the album's brilliance and artistic excellence "Too Bad" did not garner the award. "Too Bad" brings us back to the Buju of the nineties with his rough phenomenal voice backed by hypnotic beats and conscious lyrics that seem to stay on repeat in your head. "Too Bad" is a complete listen from start to finish and is an extra success because the Gargamel executive produced the album on his own label.
On April 21, 2009, Buju released the often delayed album Rasta Got Soul. This is Banton's ninth album and features the hit single Magic City. This release sees Buju returning to roots and culture reggae. The album received a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.
As of December 2009, Buju allegedly attempted to buy cocaine from an undercover officer in Miami and faces up to life in prison if convicted. The trial of Banton began on September 20, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.
As a youngster, Buju would often watch his favourite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls. At the tender age of 13 he picked up the microphone for himself and began toasting under the monicker of "Gargamel". His first single, "The Ruler" was released not long afterwards in 1987 under the production of Robert French at Penthouse Studios.
In 1991, Buju joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Label and began a fruitful partnership with producer Dave Kelly. Buju is one of the most popular musicians in Jamaican history, having burst onto the charts there suddenly in 1992, with "Bogle" and "Love Me Browning/Love Black Woman", both massive hits in Jamaica. Controversy erupted over Love Me Browning which spoke of Banton's preference for light-skinned women: "Mi love mi car mi love mi house mi love mi money and ting, but most of all mi love mi browning." Some accused Banton of promoting a colonialist attitude and denigrating the beauty of black women. In response, he released "Black Woman" which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties: "Stop cry, fi all black woman, respect all the gyals with dark complexion." 1992 was an explosive year for Buju as he broke the great Bob Marley's record for the greatest number of number one singles in a year. Beginning with "Man fi Dead", Buju's gruff voice dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the duration of the year. Banton's debut album, Mr. Mention, includes his greatest hits from that year.
1992 was also the year in which the controversy over Buju's homophobic "Boom Bye Bye" exploded. The media in Great Britain picked up on Buju's less than admirable promotion of violence against homosexuals. Myrie, who had recently signed with Mercury records, refused to back down from his stance against homosexuals, claiming his religious beliefs prevented him from accepting homosexuality. Banton downplayed the violent content of his song, claiming that it was metaphorical. Gay Rights groups campaigned against Buju as well as Shabba Ranks who, when asked about the controversy on the British show The Word, stated, "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Shabba later apologized, but Buju refused to back down which drew the ire of various homosexual advocacy groups who continue to campaign against him.
Banton released the hard-hitting Voice of Jamaica in 1993. The album included a number of conscious tracks. These tracks included "Deportees" a song which criticized those Jamaicans who went abroad but never sent money home, a remix of Little Roy's "Tribal War", a sharp condemnation of political violence, and "Willy, Don't Be Silly" which promoted condom use. The conscious spin of this disc did little to stop the attacks of gay rights groups who felt that his continued performance of "Boom Bye Bye" was a slap in their faces. Some dancehall fans felt that Banton could have exploded onto the American scene if his homophobic song hadn't held him back. Nevertheless, Buju was adopted by many new fans who appreciated his gravelly vocals and cared little about his homophobia.
Til Shiloh (1995) was a very influential album, using a studio band instead of synthesized music, and marking a slight shift away from dancehall towards roots reggae for Banton. Buju turned Rasta and his new album reflected his new beliefs. Til Shiloh is one of the greatest dancehall albums of all time and successfully blended conscious lyrics with a hard-hitting dancehall vibe. The album included a single called "Murderer" which condemned the violence in Jamaican dancehall music, inspired by the murders of dancehall musicians Panhead and Dirtsman. The song inspired several clubs to stop playing songs with excessively violent subject matter. This conscious album had a large impact on dancehall music and showed the hunger the dancehall massive had for conscious lyrics. Dancehall music did not move away from slack and violent lyrics, but the album did pave the way for a greater spirituality within the music.
Inna Heights (1997) substantially increased Banton's international audience as Buju explored his singing ability and recorded a number of roots-tinged tracks. Banton covered The Silvertones' "Destiny" and recorded songs with such artists as Beres Hammond and the legendary Toots Hibbert. The album was well-received but had distribution problems. Also, some fans were disappointed, having hoped for another ground-breaking album like "Til Shiloh." Still, Buju's experimentation and soaring vocals impressed many fans and this album remains a highly regarded work.
In 1998, Buju met the punk band Rancid and recorded two tracks with them: "Misty Days" and "Life Won't Wait." The latter became the title track of Rancid's 1999 album, Life Won't Wait. Subsequently, Buju signed with Rancid's eclectic Anti, a subsidiary of Epitaph and released Unchained Spirit in 2000.
In March 2003 he released Friends for Life, which featured more sharply political songs, including "Mr. Nine", an anti-gun song that further verified his status as one of reggae's most anti-confrontational artists.
Banton's 2006 album Too Bad got him nominated for a second Grammy but despite the album's brilliance and artistic excellence "Too Bad" did not garner the award. "Too Bad" brings us back to the Buju of the nineties with his rough phenomenal voice backed by hypnotic beats and conscious lyrics that seem to stay on repeat in your head. "Too Bad" is a complete listen from start to finish and is an extra success because the Gargamel executive produced the album on his own label.
On April 21, 2009, Buju released the often delayed album Rasta Got Soul. This is Banton's ninth album and features the hit single Magic City. This release sees Buju returning to roots and culture reggae. The album received a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.
As of December 2009, Buju allegedly attempted to buy cocaine from an undercover officer in Miami and faces up to life in prison if convicted. The trial of Banton began on September 20, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Murderer
Buju Banton Lyrics
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
You can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
You coulda never escape this judgement
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
I tell you, all men are created equal
But behind the trigger it's a different sequel
Some are murdering people to collect medals
Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials
You could wash your hands until you can't wash them any more
It is like an epidemic and you won't find a cure
Upper class you could be rich, middle class wheter you are poor
Only the righteous won't feel insecure
Have you ever thought about your skill getting bored
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
Drinking sulphur bitters won't bitter like your end
Only God can help you, no family or friend
Don't let the curse be upon your children's children
Abdenigo, Shadreck, Meshek, Daniel in the eden
Jonah in the whale's belly, but he was never condemned
Job with the leprosy, and he still reached heaven
He will do for you everything He has done for them.
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
You can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
You coulda never escape this judgement
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life
I tell you, all men are created equal
But behind the trigger it's a different sequel
Some are murdering people to collect medals
Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials
You could wash your hands until you can't wash them any more
It is like an epidemic and you won't find a cure
Upper class you could be rich, middle class wheter you are poor
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK ANTHONY MYRIE, CLEMENT DODD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Warped
Lyrics:
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Yes, you can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
You coulda never escape this judgement
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β I tell you, all men are created equal
But behind the trigger it's a different sequel
Some are murdering people to collect medals
Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials
You could wash your hands until you can't wash them any more
It is like an epidemic and you won't find a cure
Upper class you could be rich, middle class wheter you are poor
Only the righteous won't feel insecure
Have you ever thought about your skill getting bored
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Drinking sulphur bitters won't bitter like your end
Only God can help you, no family or friend
Don't let the curse be upon your children's children
Abdenigo, Shadreck, Meshek, Daniel in the eden
Jonah in the whale's belly, but he was never condemned
Job with the leprosy, and he still reached heaven
He will do for you everything He has done for them.
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Imani Nolastname
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Yes, you can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
You coulda never escape this judgement
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
I tell you, all men are created equal
But behind the trigger it's a different sequel
Some are murdering people to collect medals
Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials
You could wash your hands until you can't wash them any more
It is like an epidemic and you won't find a cure
Upper class you could be rich, middle class wheter you are poor
Only the righteous won't feel insecure
Have you ever thought about your skill getting bored
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Drinking sulphur bitters won't bitter like your end
Only God can help you, no family or friend
Don't let the curse be upon your children's children
Abdenigo, Shadreck, Meshek, Daniel in the eden
Jonah in the whale's belly, but he was never condemned
Job with the leprosy, and he still reached heaven
He will do for you everything He has done for them.
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Warped
Lyrics:
Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Yes, you can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
You coulda never escape this judgement
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β I tell you, all men are created equal
But behind the trigger it's a different sequel
Some are murdering people to collect medals
Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials
You could wash your hands until you can't wash them any more
It is like an epidemic and you won't find a cure
Upper class you could be rich, middle class wheter you are poor
Only the righteous won't feel insecure
Have you ever thought about your skill getting bored
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Drinking sulphur bitters won't bitter like your end
Only God can help you, no family or friend
Don't let the curse be upon your children's children
Abdenigo, Shadreck, Meshek, Daniel in the eden
Jonah in the whale's belly, but he was never condemned
Job with the leprosy, and he still reached heaven
He will do for you everything He has done for them.
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
β¦Β Murderer
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
N. B.
I loved this album. I owned it twice and someone stole it from me both times. So you know it was good.Β
T Harris
Dammmmmmm
Michel Reginald
Zn
Michel Reginald
Zn
DeViouS DoLL
That thief has excellent taste in music! πΆ π΅
Successful Longlife
@ N. B. buy another one....Lolππππ
ronny omar
'you can hide from man, but not your conscience' what a song... powerful
kenni busk
i'm just a white danish boy, but i really love this music, Bob Marley, Buju Banton, Capleton, sizzla! this is some of the greatest music in world!<3
kayaman1963
White or black or whatever this is the only music that bonds us all together