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.
Chuck It So
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes you same one
Always studying something new
Ever disturbing people, you and your crew
Always up to something bad
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
Why you walking and chuck it so
Word go round say the man them from up so say
Then a go corn you
Don't bother form no fool
And go back down there
Can't say I never warned you
You must jam one away
And ever lay lay
That way them can't harm you
You must move well alert
And expect any foul play
Those men know where you work
Where you sleep
Where you play
Dis the wrong set a man you got to run away
Force ripe bad boy
Who was wicked yesterday
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
I want to know what got into you
Why you walking and chuck it so
You was in Grade 5
I was in Grade 9
Humble'er than you little boy you couldn't find
Now you murdering people what's got into your mind
Kill so much people
Every day the number climb
Now your friends are after you
Your life is on the line
Start playing the role name John hard to find
This is Buju be
You better start rewind
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
I want to know what got into you
Why you walking and chuck it so
Don't have any responsibility
Not responsible
Not a baby mother to go home to
Laing, Ford and Amin every body want you
Five bad man hunting you
Now it double
Public nuisance
You are in trouble, it's either kill the law
Or they murder you
Take it easy hear it from Buju
Straight from my heart
It's coming to you
Then I'm asking
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
I want to know what got into you
Why you walking and chuck it so
Word go round say the man them from up so say
Then a go corn you
Don't bother form no fool
And go back down there
Can't say I never warned you
You must jam one away
And ever lay lay
That way them can't harm you
Those men know where you work
Where you sleep
Where you play
Dis the wrong set a man you got to run away
Force ripe bad boy
Who was wicked yesterday, still want it today
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
I want to know what got into you
Why you walking and chuck it so
You was in Grade 5
I was in Grade 9
Humble'er than you little boy you couldn't find
Now you murdering people what's got into your mind
Kill so much people
Every day the number climb
Now your friends are after you
Your life is on the line
Start playing the role name John hard to find
Get wicked and stop bus carvine, and Buju banton rhymem, I ask them
How you a go on like bully so
On the border like you not going
I want to know what got into you
Why you walking and chuck it so
The lyrics to Buju Banton's song "Chuck It So" explore themes of violence, power, and recklessness. The song is directed at a "Mr. Big Man" who is always up to something bad and bullying others. Buju questions why the individual is acting in such a violent manner and warns that their actions will eventually catch up to them. The lyrics describe the consequences of this behavior, as the individual becomes hunted by others and their life is in danger. Buju urges the person to change their ways and take responsibility for their actions before it's too late.
The song highlights the negative impact of violence and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. It also touches on the idea of karma, as the individual's violent acts come back to haunt them. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and concern, as Buju tries to help the person see the error of their ways before it's too late. Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of violence and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
You Mr. Big Man
Addressing a person of importance
Yes you same one
Specifically referring to the addressed person
Always studying something new
Continuously engaging in devious activity
Ever disturbing people, you and your crew
Causing trouble with a group of associates
Always up to something bad
Engaged in illicit activity
How you a go on like bully so
How can you act like a bully
On the border like you not going
Avoiding responsibility for your actions
I want to know what got into you
Curious as to what has caused the person's behavior
Why you walking and chuck it so
Why are you walking with such reckless abandon
Word go round say the man them from up so say
Rumors have it that people from up north have been talking
Then a go corn you
Then they will corner you
Don't bother form no fool
Do not act foolish
And go back down there
And return to where you came from
Can't say I never warned you
Cannot say I did not give a warning
You must jam one away
You must escape safely
And ever lay lay
Without rest
That way them can't harm you
This way they cannot do you harm
You must move well alert
You must move with caution
And expect any foul play
Anticipate any treacherous actions
Those men know where you work
The men know where you are employed
Where you sleep
Where you rest
Where you play
Where you engage in leisure activities
Dis the wrong set a man you got to run away
If you disrespect the wrong group of men, you must run away
Force ripe bad boy
Matured, dangerous individual
Who was wicked yesterday
Who was iniquitous in the past
You was in Grade 5
You were in fifth grade
I was in Grade 9
I was in ninth grade
Humble'er than you little boy you couldn't find
More humble than you, a little boy humbler than you could not find
Now you murdering people what's got into your mind
Now you are killing people, what has led to this behavior
Kill so much people
Killing many people
Every day the number climb
The number of people killed everyday increases
Now your friends are after you
Your associates are seeking you out
Your life is on the line
Your life is in danger
Start playing the role name John hard to find
Take on an alias and become difficult to locate
Don't have any responsibility
Not accountable for your actions
Not responsible
Lacking responsibility
Not a baby mother to go home to
Without any commitments or obligations
Laing, Ford and Amin every body want you
Many people are searching for you
Five bad man hunting you
A group of dangerous individuals are searching for you
Now it double
The number of people seeking you has increased
Public nuisance
Disturbance to the public
You are in trouble
You are in danger
It's either kill the law
Either confront law enforcement
Or they murder you
Or face death at the hands of pursuers
Take it easy hear it from Buju
Take heed of the advice from Buju
Straight from my heart
I speak sincerely and genuinely
It's coming to you
This is pertinent to your situation
Get wicked and stop bus carvine
Become bold and confrontational instead of gossiping
and Buju banton rhymem, I ask them
Asking his listeners
How you a go on like bully so
How can you act like a bully
On the border like you not going
Avoiding responsibility for your actions
I want to know what got into you
Curious as to what has caused the person's behavior
Why you walking and chuck it so
Why are you walking with such reckless abandon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andre Omar Tyrell, Handel Wesley Alexander Tucker, Mark Anthony Myrie
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?