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.
Bonafide Love
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause money is no objective
But from its good lovin'
We have it in stock hear wah happen
(Oh yes)
You may not be a movie star
You may not drive a big fast car
I love you in every way
(Every way I can think off)
I don't know why
(I will tell you)
Oh, why I don't know why, oh, why
(Oh, oh, yes)
Woman yuh may not be wealthy, nah drive a fast car
But mi nah go leff yuh out cah we a come from far
Yuh memba when mi only have one arrow shirt
Now yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
As long as mi deh pon massa God earth
Mi nah fi get where mi a come from mi nah go dish yuh dirt
I'll keep on loving you
Always
I don't know why, oh
Why I don't know why, oh, why
Here why, 'cause I am hooked on yuh lovin'
Like a big snapper fish
Di way yuh look, di way yuh dressed a dat mi cyan resist
Yuh personality there's no odda like it
Buju Banton tellin' di world woman yuh criss
But I love you in every way
I love you in every way
I don't know why, oh, why
I don't know why, oh, why
Here why, why is a lookin' letter cut it off fi get a fee
Woman I'm tellin' you I love you endlessly
Mi nah go pay dem nuh mind, mi nah go hear weh dem a seh
Donkey ears now sense a mi and yuh deh
But I don't care I'd rather have you
I'll keep on lovin' you
I don't know why
(I'll tell you why)
Oh, why
I don't know why
(Hear why)
Oh, why
Woman, I seh yuh may not be wealthy, nah drive a fast car
But mi nah go leff yuh out cah we a come from far
Yuh memba when mi only have mi one arrow shirt
And yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
As long as mi DJ a deh pon di earth
Mi nah go leff yuh out yuh know mi nah go dish yuh dirt
I love you in every way
I don't know why, oh, why I don't know why, oh why
(I will tell you why, hear why)
'Cause I am hooked on your love like a big snapper fish
Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed mek yuh haffi resist
Yuh personality, there's no other like it
Buju Banton tellin' di world seh yuh criss
A woman like you is one in a million
Waan yuh inna mi arms twenty-four seven
I would a get jealous if mi see a next man
Nah trespass pon mi plantation
Cah mi alone fi have yuh and no other one
Yuh a di greatest woman inna di island
Greater than ruby greater than pearl
Prettiest woman to mi inna di world
Big up yuh chest, yuh hear mi a girl
Yuh may not be wealthy or drive a fast car
But mi nah leff yuh we a come from far
The lyrics of Buju Banton's "Bonafide Love" express the idea that true love is not measured by wealth or material possessions. The singer emphasizes the importance of the bond between two people and the richness of their connection, regardless of their financial status. The lyrics go on to describe the love he has for a woman who may not have many material possessions, but is invaluable to him.
The song's narrative takes on a personal angle, as Buju Banton reflects on his own journey with a woman who has been with him through thick and thin. He recalls moments from their past when he was less fortunate and reminds her that he will always love her, regardless of what happens. The chorus repeats the mantra "I don't know why", which conveys the depth of Buju Banton's feelings and his inability to explain them fully.
The lyrics of "Bonafide Love" convey a timeless message that speaks to the heart of the human experience. The song reminds listeners that true love is not about material wealth, and that the connection between two people can be the most valuable thing in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to be rich
Your financial status isn't important to me
'Cause money is no objective
Money doesn't matter to me
But from its good lovin'
But what's important is your love
We have it in stock hear wah happen
I have plenty of love to give
(Oh yes)
You may not be a movie star
You may not be famous
You may not drive a big fast car
You may not have a luxury car
But I love you in every way
But I love everything about you
I love you in every way
I love every single thing about you
(Every way I can think off)
I don't know why
I can't explain why
(I will tell you)
Oh, why I don't know why, oh, why
Why I love you so much is a mystery to me
(Oh, oh, yes)
Woman yuh may not be wealthy, nah drive a fast car
You may not have money or a car, woman
But mi nah go leff yuh out cah we a come from far
But I won't leave you out because we've been through a lot
Yuh memba when mi only have one arrow shirt
Remember when I only had one shirt
Now yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
Now you're a model, wearing tight skirts with me
As long as mi deh pon massa God earth
As long as I'm alive
Mi nah fi get where mi a come from mi nah go dish yuh dirt
I won't forget where I came from and I won't talk bad about you
Here why, 'cause I am hooked on yuh lovin'
The reason why I love you so much is because I'm addicted to your love
Like a big snapper fish
Like a fish caught on a hook
Di way yuh look, di way yuh dressed a dat mi cyan resist
I can't resist the way you look and dress
Yuh personality there's no odda like it
Your personality is one-of-a-kind
Buju Banton tellin' di world woman yuh criss
Buju Banton is telling the world that you're amazing
Here why, why is a lookin' letter cut it off fi get a fee
The reason why is straightforward
Woman I'm tellin' you I love you endlessly
Woman, I'm telling you that I'll love you forever
Mi nah go pay dem nuh mind, mi nah go hear weh dem a seh
I won't listen to naysayers
Donkey ears now sense a mi and yuh deh
Even the unintelligent can see how great we are together
But I don't care I'd rather have you
I don't care what others say, I want you
I'll keep on lovin' you
I'll never stop loving you
A woman like you is one in a million
There's no one else like you
Waan yuh inna mi arms twenty-four seven
I want to hold you all the time
I would a get jealous if mi see a next man
I'd get jealous if I saw you with another man
Nah trespass pon mi plantation
No one else can have you
Cah mi alone fi have yuh and no other one
Because I want you and no one else
Yuh a di greatest woman inna di island
You're the greatest woman on the island
Greater than ruby greater than pearl
You're more valuable than rubies or pearls
Prettiest woman to mi inna di world
You're the most beautiful woman in the world to me
Big up yuh chest, yuh hear mi a girl
Be confident
Yuh may not be wealthy or drive a fast car
You may not be rich or have a luxury car
But mi nah leff yuh we a come from far
But I won't leave you, we've come a long way together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Mark Anthony Myrie, Delroy George Wilson, Dave Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuran Ricardo
on Fake Smile
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If there’s 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?