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.
Complaint
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know it is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
Let Jah rise and the heathen scatter
Have to give thanks and praises no matter
Even if the flames is getting hotter & hotter
Everybody should know I don't believe in rumor
Children arise from your sleep and slumber
Don't come to bow, come to conquer
Strictly love why you envy your brother
Don't let them re-arrange you in a different manner
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know it is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
Why should I change to gain acceptance
Can't tell a next man how to wear his pants
Lift up the name of Jah in abundance
Every single thing we do, we are liable
To get a sentence
But we won't be like a flea just like how the more we see
The less you hear we speak
My brother don't you be like a stubborn sheep
Blessed are he when man shall revile you
And persecute you, say all manner of evil
Against you falsely, for Jah sake
Rejoice I say and be exceedingly glad
For great is your reward
For so persecute they the prophets before you and me
If you do wrong they complain
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know it is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
Let Jah rise and the heathen scatter
Have to give thanks and praises no matter
Even if the flames is getting hotter & hotter
Everybody should know I don't believe in rumor
Children arise from your sleep and slumber
Don't come to bow, come to conquer
Strictly love why you envy your brother
Don't let them re-arrange you in a different manner
If you do wrong they complain
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know it is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
Wrong they complain
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know it is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
There's lights of hope still shining
In Buju Banton's song "Complaint," he expresses frustration with people's constant criticism and attempts to control his actions. He notes that even if he invokes God's name, people still find fault with him. He questions why they don't simply focus on their own lives and let him be grateful for the lights of hope still shining. He encourages people to rise up, conquer and spread love, rather than becoming like stubborn sheep. The song ultimately calls for people to lift up the name of Jah, give thanks and praises, and not let others re-arrange them in a different manner.
Line by Line Meaning
If you do wrong they complain
No matter what I do, people are always going to complain about it.
Even if you call the father's name its the same
Even if I try to do the right thing and follow God's teachings, people are still going to criticize me.
What they want us to do
I don't understand what people expect me to do to make them happy.
Don't they know it is nothing new
People have been complaining and criticizing others for forever, nothing new here.
Why won't they do what they want
Instead of trying to control me, people should focus on what they want to do with their own lives.
And let me do my thing they should be thankful
People should be grateful that I am doing my own thing and not judging them in return.
There's lights of hope still shining
Despite all the negativity and criticism, there is still hope and positivity in the world.
Let Jah rise and the heathen scatter
God will be victorious and those who do not believe in him will be defeated.
Have to give thanks and praises no matter
No matter what the circumstances are, we should always give thanks and praise to God.
Even if the flames is getting hotter & hotter
Even if things are becoming more difficult and challenging, we should not lose faith in God.
Everybody should know I don't believe in rumor
I do not pay attention to gossip or rumors, and neither should anyone else.
Children arise from your sleep and slumber
Wake up and take action to make the world a better place for future generations.
Don't come to bow, come to conquer
Do not give up or surrender, but rather stand up and fight for what you believe in.
Strictly love why you envy your brother
Instead of feeling jealous or envious of others, we should focus on loving and supporting them.
Don't let them re-arrange you in a different manner
Do not let others change who you are or what you believe in, stay true to yourself.
Blessed are he when man shall revile you
Those who are insulted or criticized because of their beliefs will be blessed by God.
And persecute you, say all manner of evil
Those who are persecuted because of their beliefs will be accused of all sorts of evil things.
Against you falsely, for Jah sake
People will lie and make false accusations against you because of your faith in God.
Rejoice I say and be exceedingly glad
Despite the persecution and criticism, we should be happy and grateful for our faith.
For great is your reward
Those who remain faithful will be greatly rewarded by God.
Wrong they complain
People will always complain about what I'm doing and it's okay, I will continue doing my thing.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anthony Cornelius Cameron, Garnett Smith, Mark Anthony Myrie, Noel Davy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanvasquez8125
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There're lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There're lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
Let Jah rise and the heathen scatter
Have to give thanks and praises no matter
Even if the flames is getting hotter and hotter
Everybody should know I don't believe in rumor
Children arise from your sleep and slumber
Don't come to bow, come to conquer
Strictly love, why you envy your brother?
Don't let them re-arrange you in a different manner
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There's lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
Why should I change to gain acceptance?
Can't tell a next man how to wear his pants
Lift up the name of Jah in abundance
Every single thing we do, we are liable
To get a sentence
But we won't be like a flea
Just like how the more we see
The less you hear we speak
My brother don't you be like a stubborn sheep
Blessed are he when man shall revile you
And persecute you
Say all manner of evil
Against you falsely
For Jah sake
Rejoice I say
And be exceedingly glad
For great is your reward
For so persecute they the prophets before you and me
If you do wrong they complain
Even if you call the father's name its the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There're lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
Let Jah rise and the heathen scatter
Have to give thanks and praises no matter
Even if the flames is getting hotter & hotter
Everybody should know I don't believe in rumor
Children arise from your sleep and slumber
Don't come to bow, come to conquer
Strictly love why you envy your brother
Don't let them re-arrange you in a different manner
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name it's the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There're lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
If you do wrong they complain
Even if we call the father's name it's the same
What they want us to do
Don't they know this is nothing new
Why won't they do what they want
And let me do my thing
They should be thankful
There're lights of hope that are still shining
Shining
@akyawyoussef806
from dj khaled her
@KayleighDarcie-nc9rh
Dj khalid a snake π
@retroimports
Thatβs sad, I was here already. π―
@yasarmajid134
I'm 40 today and playing this for my birthday...I was a young teenager when this cane out and played it on repeat with my Sony Walkman constantly for years...still my favourite tune nearly 30 years later
@Ynotmeansbusiness
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
@michaelmoses4637
Same here
@SrChalice
This was your pre-teen. You're a year older than me and I remember when I was 8,9,10 these songs had released a little before that. Was born in 1983
@ss3731
Bless up
@yasarmajid134
β@@ss3731bless
@sheriffblackcity8852
Garnett, another rare Spirit who graced the earth in human form... sleep on Bro.