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.
Don & Dupes
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Must be dem a couldn't Buju Banton lawd
Nuff a dem a hype
And know dem name no call round yah
But I am a bawn loner
Who set di pace?
Trendsetter try bless
Girls drop inna frenzy when dem see wi pon stage.
Ahh!
Irrefutable.
Solid and mateable
Get mi out and get mi pass
I take it on another level
Intelligence man a use over irritable
Caan be a mange.
You must be accountable!
I'm Don and who is a Donovan? (Hear dat!)
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Got to be dem a couldn't Buju Banton.
Pinchers!
I′m Don and who is a Donovan? (unuh hear dat?)
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Must be dem a couldn't Buju Banton
An if dem want a war tell dem wi ready fi dat
Dis yah bakkle!
Yuh caan check they nose an get to si dat
Run di corner but wi have di city lock
An membah!
Di corner is a quarter of a city block.
So fool!
When you si wi a step through
Unnuh betta step aside
Yuh betta know say respect due
You a know di size of di gang
An a di size of di crew
Every man a man so yuh haffi know who a who!
Eedyat!
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
I'm Don and who is a Donovan? (One Don, One Don!)
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
Must be dem a couldn′t Buju Banton.
Pinchers!
I′m Don and who is a Donovan? (Lawd a mercy)
I'm Don and who is a Donovan? (Want all di girl see)
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Hear dis man! Hear dis man!
Nuff a dem gang up and nuff dem a plan
Some a dem confuse and don't know where dem stand
Yuh waan, clash wid di general and run up inna di Don
Yu tink a uzi alone a caliber like M1?
Yu tink a talk alone well is ah ready for action
Yu tink a one bagga man but a di general one
Come wi come to give dem inna style and pattern
Buju Banton, Pinchers a weh yuh get di one yah from?
Tell dem!
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey.
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I′m Don and who is a Donovan?
Hey. Hey. Hey.
The song "Don & Dupes" by Buju Banton is a bold declaration of his position as a leader in the music industry. The first verse dismisses any competition, calling them "Donovans" as a way of saying that they are not on his level. He boasts about his individuality and how he sets the trends, causing girls to go wild when they see him perform. He emphasizes the importance of intelligence over irritability and the need for accountability. The chorus repeats his self-proclaimed title of "Don" and emphasizes that those who try to challenge his position as a leader must not know who they are dealing with.
The second verse is a warning to any who dare to challenge him. He declares his readiness for battle and emphasizes his strength in numbers, referring to his "gang" and "crew." He also references his authority over his city block, warning any who would try to mess with him. The final verse calls out any who may be confused about their position in the industry, urging them to recognize his superior status.
The song "Don & Dupes" was released in 1990 on Buju Banton's album "Mr. Mention." It was produced by Donovan Germain and was a hit in Jamaica.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm Don and who is a Donovan?
I'm Buju Banton and who is Donovan, a nobody compared to me
Must be dem a couldn't Buju Banton lawd
They must be talking about someone else because they surely can't be talking about me, Buju Banton
Nuff a dem a hype
A lot of them are just talk, boasting without action
And know dem name no call round yah
And their names are not known here
Dem a gang an a plan up
They are gangs and scheming
But I am a bawn loner
But I'm an independent person who doesn't align with any group
Who set di pace?
Who is leading and defining the trend?
Trendsetter try bless
I'm trying to influence others in a positive way
Girls drop inna frenzy when dem see wi pon stage.
Girls become excited when they see us performing on stage
Ah!
An exclamation of excitement and satisfaction
Irrefutable.
Undeniable and indisputable
Solid and mateable
Strong and relatable
Get mi out and get mi pass
Let me express myself and achieve success
I take it on another level
I'm elevating my game to another level
Intelligence man a use over irritable
I'm using my intelligence instead of being easily provoked
Caan be a mange.
It can't be chaos or confusion
You must be accountable!
You have to take responsibility for your actions and decisions
Got to be dem a couldn't Buju Banton.
They must be referring to someone else because they can't be talking about me, Buju Banton
Pinchers!
An exclamation of agreement or approval
An if dem want a war tell dem wi ready fi dat
If they want to start a conflict, we are prepared for it
Dis yah bakkle!
This is a battle!
Yuh caan check they nose an get to si dat
You can't judge people by their appearance and know their true nature
Run di corner but wi have di city lock
They can run away but we still have control over the city
An membah!
And remember!
Di corner is a quarter of a city block.
The corner is just a small part of the city
So fool!
So foolish!
When you si wi a step through
When you see us walking through
Unnuh betta step aside
You better move out of our way
Yuh betta know say respect due
You should know that respect is deserved
You a know di size of di gang
You know the size of the gang
An a di size of di crew
And the size of the crew
Every man a man so yuh haffi know who a who!
Everyone is an individual, so it's important to know who is who
Eedyat!
An exclamation of annoyance or anger
Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey.
An exclamation of excitement or anticipation
Hear dis man! Hear dis man!
Listen to this man!
Nuff a dem gang up and nuff dem a plan
Many of them group together and make plans
Some a dem confuse and don't know where dem stand
Some of them are lost and confused about their place
Yuh waan, clash wid di general and run up inna di Don
You want to fight with the leader and challenge me
Yu tink a uzi alone a caliber like M1?
Do you think that a small gun like Uzi is the same caliber as M1?
Yu tink a talk alone well is ah ready for action
Do you think that talking alone is enough to be prepared for action?
Yu tink a one bagga man but a di general one
Do you think it's just one person, but it's the leader?
Come wi come to give dem inna style and pattern
We're coming to give them our unique style and approach
Buju Banton, Pinchers a weh yuh get di one yah from?
Buju Banton and Pinchers, where did you get this style from?
Writer(s): Mark Anthony Myrie, Lloyd Kevin James, Laron L James, D Thompson
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
motly93
Shout out to my dad for letting me have this CD, that's how I found this song. Bless up
Phalon Adams
Still listening 2020🔥🔥🔥🔥
Don
Can u explain what he mean by a 'donovan' is it slang I dun kno this one
Adaylton Soares
MAIS UMA QUE VEM E VAI... FICOU BLOQUEADA UM TEMPÃO!!! DIREITOS AUTORAIS... FYAH BUN GENERAL AND PINCHERS!!! ❤️
Mark Anthony
Still listening 2022 from Kenya. One of the best combination by Buju. Pinchers waaaaaaaarrrrrrr
Don
Can you please explain toe what is a Donovan what does it mean. I only knew it was a name ☝️
Don
What is a Donovan ? What do they mean lol like a don? Boss
FuNky MuSiC
EXCELLENT🔥❤
GMF-MY-PLAYLIST
Please please put WITH OUT YOU!!! back on here what a wicked tune by buju and pinchers
gente ultrà
Maaaadd.. Big up! All jamaicans listening this song!