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.
Be On Your Way
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now, be on your way
You′ve got to learn your lesson the hard way
Why, you neva listen
When Jah says there's a right way and a wrong way
The price you pay
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
Jah you are
My guiding light, make the way bright
In front my eyes, before I′m old, Lord
Help I to do right
Oh I know, Lord I know
It is not an easy fight
But I'm confident in you
I know you never leave I alone
Thousand shall fall at my right
But it shall not come nigh
Now, go on your way
You better to learn your lesson the hard way
Why, you neva listen
When Jah says there's a right way and a wrong way
The price you pay
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
The price you pay
Until this day, ah
Until in your own way, trying to make things better
It only gets worse
Some say there is no God, ah
Bringing on a worse curse
I could not find the answer, no
I′m just a humble servant
Working for that circular rainbow shown
Now, be on your way
Heathens learn your lessons the hard way
Why, didn′t you listen
When I say there's a right way and a wrong way
The price you pay
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
The price you pay
Until this day, they cry, they cry, they cry
Woy, woy, woy, woy
Tell them, Lord, woy
Selassie I, woy
Tell them Jah say, woy
Now, go on your way
You′ve got to learn your lesson the hard way
Why, you neva listen
When Jah says there's a right way and a wrong way
The price you pay
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
The price you pay
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
Jah you are
My guiding light, make the way bright
In front my sight
The lyrics of "Be On Your Way" by Buju Banton are a message to those who ignore the guidance of the divine, who refuse to listen to what is right and choose to suffer the consequences of their actions. The chorus of the song repeats the message to be on your way, to learn your lesson the hard way, reminding us that there are always consequences to our choices. Buju makes it clear that those who do not listen to Jah are doomed to pay a high price which will change their lives forever. The song’s message also emphasizes that Jah is the guiding light for those who seek his order and that he will help them to do right even when it's a difficult fight.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has faith that Jah will lead him in the right direction and that with Jah's help he will not be left alone in his struggles. The song also acknowledges that human beings are flawed and will often try to make things better in their own way, only to make things worse. This is why it is important to listen to Jah and to follow his guidance. It is also clear that Jah is the answer to all questions and problems, and that through him, the circular rainbow of life can be improved.
"Be On Your Way" is a powerful message that aims to remind people that there is always a right and wrong way to act, and that the consequences of our actions can have a profound impact on our lives. It is a call to listen to the guiding light and to learn from our mistakes, and to ultimately become better people in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Why dem neva listen?
Why didn't they listen?
Now, be on your way
Now, leave and move on
You′ve got to learn your lesson the hard way
You will learn from the consequences of your actions
Why, you neva listen
Why didn't you listen?
When Jah says there's a right way and a wrong way
Follow Jah's teachings to distinguish right from wrong
The price you pay
You will face the consequences of your actions
Until this day, you enter your life as changed
You will carry the consequences of your past actions
Jah you are
Jah, you are
My guiding light, make the way bright
You guide me and show me the right path
In front my eyes, before I′m old, Lord
Before I get too old, show me the way to go
Help I to do right
Assist me in doing the right thing
Oh I know, Lord I know
I understand, my lord
It is not an easy fight
The struggle to do the right thing is not easy
But I'm confident in you
I trust in you
I know you never leave I alone
I know you are always with me
Thousand shall fall at my right
Others may stumble, but I will not
But it shall not come nigh
I will not be affected by their misfortunes
Now, go on your way
Now, it's time to move on
You better to learn your lesson the hard way
You will learn from your mistakes through tough experiences
Why, you neva listen
Why didn't you listen?
The price you pay
You will face the consequences of your actions
Until this day, they cry, they cry, they cry
They will continue to suffer
Now, be on your way
Now, it's time to leave
Heathens learn your lessons the hard way
Unbelievers will learn from their mistakes through tough experiences
Until in your own way, trying to make things better
Trying to improve things in your own way
It only gets worse
Despite your efforts, things only get worse
Some say there is no God, ah
Some people doubt the existence of God
Bringing on a worse curse
This increases the negative consequences
I could not find the answer, no
I am unable to find the solution
I′m just a humble servant
I am a humble follower
Working for that circular rainbow shown
Striving for something that seems impossible to reach
Woy, woy, woy, woy, tell them, Lord, woy
A cry for help and guidance from the Lord
Selassie I, woy
Reference to Haile Selassie, a religious and political leader
Now, go on your way
Now, it's time to move on
When Jah says there's a right way and a wrong way
Follow Jah's teachings to distinguish right from wrong
Writer(s): Mark Anthony Myrie
Contributed by Christian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@eno.kamikaze
Respect to buju
@LucianoSilva-rk6vw
Arrocha aí. reggae... Tommy Boy...🔥🍃
@MissBossCampagna
I tell my kids you can learn the right way or the wrong way . I’m going to play this for them. This is perfect I love everything about this. Thanks!
@pinut187
My first dog is a chubby English bulldog and named him Buju, now I have a second one and her Banton.
@waniwani2577
Pretty good as always👍❤
@mikemartinez7440
I do not sniff the coke!! I only smoke sencimilla
@robertnewell4054
Classic Jam .... back from my stomping daze
@mikemartinez7440
@@robertnewell4054 MY UNCLE WHO MOVED SOUTH OF ENSENADA MEXIO THAT OWNS A SCUBA DIVE SHOP USED TO ROCK THAT ALL THE TIME, I WAS 9 10 ,IM 41 I HAD BO IDEA THEY STILL EXISTED. IM GLAD SOMEONE RECOGNIZED IT.🤜🤛
@robertnewell4054
@@mikemartinez7440 ..... The time frames line up. I’m 57 now so .... ya right on Brother ... keep it iIRIE 👊🏽🔥
EDIT: truth is lots of people were doing coke & crank at this time. I’ll smoke the sencimilla over those every time
@mikemartinez7440
@@robertnewell4054 FINALLY THE LAWS ARE FALLING IN PLACE .