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.
Champion
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
Me have di ting weh you ah wait pon
Walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Ah where you get it from?
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in (why?)
Buju B would be more than glad to take your hand
And lead you to the Promise Land in my twenty foot divan
All you got to do is be true, so let's correspond
Satisfy your emotions
Hot off ah di press, instantly she buss
She nuh old and tough and she nuh got on no rust
Skin smooth and precious like she never get a cut
Pants front ah expand I've got to haul and pull up
Giddy up, me haffi get you is a must
King Kong walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Girl let me in
Me have ee ting
But nuff man ah call, you nuh look fi dem way
You look good, you n'affi guess, no matta what a gyal say
Put on yuh clothes, it's like a display
Man ah swear and ah stare both night and day
Could you be my honey? Y'ah di woman lay lay
With a gorgeous smile on her face and say
She wants a man fi do di work not one fi play
A marathon man, she says she want one fi stay
Ah Buju all ah walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
Me got di ting weh you ah wait pon
Walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Ah where you get it from?
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in (why?)
I sing, woman I want to settle down really start a plan
To how you look I've come to one conclusion (wah?)
You're supposed to know di work, suppose to full ah action
Music ah play, your waist respond
Non-stop ticking just like a time-bomb
Ah you every man wan slam
Buju Banton all ah walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
Me got di ting weh you ah wait pon
Walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Ah where you get it from?
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in (cry)
An' Buju would be more than glad to take your hand
And lead you to the Promise Land in my twenty foot divan
All you got to do is be true, so let's correspond
Satisfy your emotion
Hot off ah di press, instantly she buss
She nuh old and tough and she nuh got on no rust
Skin smooth and precious like she never get a cut
Pants front ah expand I've got to haul and pull up
Giddy up, me haffi get you is a must
Buju all ah walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
Me got di ting weh you ah wait pon
Walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Ah where you get it from?
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in (why?)
Enough man ah call, you nuh look fi dem way
You look good, you n'affi guess, no matta what a gyal say
Put on yuh clothes, it's like a display
Man ah swear and ah stare both night and day
Could I be your honey? Y'ah di woman lay lay
With a gorgeous smile on her face and say, ay ay
Want a man fi work it, not fi play
Want a marathon man, who can stay
Me all ah walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
What a piece of body gyal
Tell me where you get it from
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
Me have di ting weh you ah wait pon
Walk like a champion
Talk like a champion
A piece of body gyal
Woman, ah where you get it from?
Knock 'pon your entrance
Ram pa pa pam pam
Gyal let me in
The song "Champion" by Buju Banton is a classic dancehall track that was released in 1995. The song features Buju Banton asking a woman to let him in and showcasing his confidence as a champion. He talks about his desire to lead her to the "Promise Land" and satisfy her emotions. The song is essentially about Buju wanting to impress and pursue a woman that he is interested in.
Throughout the song, Buju is confident and self-assured, as he compares himself to a champion who walks and talks with authority. He compliments the woman's body and asks where she got it from. He even suggests that he has the "ting" (slang for sexual prowess) that she is waiting for. The repetitive phrase "Walk like a champion, talk like a champion" emphasizes Buju's confidence and reinforces his message that he is the one she should choose.
Overall, "Champion" is a fun and flirtatious song that highlights Buju Banton's talent as a dancehall artist. It talks about desire, pursuit, and confidence, with a catchy beat and memorable lyrics that make it a classic in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Me all ah walk like a champion
I am confident and successful, and I carry myself with pride
Talk like a champion
I speak with authority and power
What a piece of body gyal
You have a beautiful body
Tell me where you get it from
I am curious about your physical attributes
Knock 'pon your entrance
I am at your door, knocking to come in
Ram pa pa pam pam
The beat of the music is pulsing through our bodies
Gyal let me in
Please allow me to come inside
Me have di ting weh you ah wait pon
I have what you have been waiting for
Ah where you get it from?
Can you tell me where you obtained your desirable features?
Buju B would be more than glad to take your hand
I would happily guide you through life
And lead you to the Promise Land in my twenty foot divan
I can offer you a comfortable and luxurious life
All you got to do is be true, so let's correspond
As long as you are loyal and honest, we can communicate to make a relationship work
Satisfy your emotions
I want to please you on an emotional level
Hot off ah di press, instantly she buss
You are fresh and new, and you exude sex appeal
She nuh old and tough and she nuh got on no rust
You are youthful and vibrant, and you have cared for your physical appearance
Skin smooth and precious like she never get a cut
Your skin is flawless and attractive
Pants front ah expand I've got to haul and pull up
You're turning me on and I need to adjust myself
Giddy up, me haffi get you is a must
I am eager to have sexual intercourse with you
King Kong walk like a champion
I am confident and powerful, just like the iconic movie monster
Girl let me in
Please allow me to enter
But nuff man ah call, you nuh look fi dem way
You have many admirers, but you are only interested in me
You look good, you n'affi guess, no matta what a gyal say
You are undeniably attractive, and other women's opinions do not matter
Put on yuh clothes, it's like a display
Your clothing presents your body beautifully
Man ah swear and ah stare both night and day
Other men obsess over you constantly
Could you be my honey? Y'ah di woman lay lay
Would you be my girlfriend or lover?
With a gorgeous smile on her face and say
You smile and respond positively
She wants a man fi do di work not one fi play
You're looking for a serious relationship, not just casual sex
A marathon man, she says she want one fi stay
You want a man who is committed for the long haul
Enough man ah call, you nuh look fi dem way
Many men are interested in you, but you only want me
Could I be your honey? Y'ah di woman lay lay
Can I be your lover?
Want a man fi work it, not fi play
You want a serious relationship, not just a fling
Want a marathon man, who can stay
You want a committed partner who is in it for the long haul
A piece of body gyal
You have a desirable physique and are sexually attractive
Woman, ah where you get it from?
I am curious about where you obtained your attractive physical features
Lyrics Β© TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Anthony Myrie, Leroy Sibbles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuran Ricardo
on Fake Smile
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If thereβs a choking problem she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb. second verse:
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If you have a choking problems she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb
Kern Rodney
on Fake Smile
If there's ah joke in progress share it with everyone, why acting dumb?