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.
Driver A
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I waan yuh carry this round di road fah mi
And don't tek nuh talk from nobody
Just do weh mi tell yuh fi do seen star
And mek sure everyting work according to how man seh everyting fi work seen
Tek back yuhself and bring back yuhself inna one peace
Mek sure seh yuh reach, hear mi. Lawd a mercy, hey, lawd-of-his mercy, lawd a mercy
Driver, don't stop at all, drop this Arizona round a Alba Mall
Driver, don't even hitch, collect dat likkle food deh yah and come back quick
Driver, just rememba di damn speed limit. Cause if yuh, run in di Feds my friend dat is it
Verse 1:
I've got a Nextel phone and a Cingular chip
Any problem yuh can reach mi pon this
A pounds dem a buy when a tons man a ship
Green like grass brown like chocolate
Fed Ex an' UPS a mek several trip
All mi life savings a ride pon this
Yuh can, drink a beer but don't yuh dare bun a spliff
Di scent a di marijuana mek yuh yeye top lift
Even though it compress and tie dung inna plastic
Don't deliver it a go end up drastic
A barrel gun mi buss and mi an' yuh know it caan stick
Mi waan change mi zinc and put up deh decromastic
Tired fi sip Red Bull a straight Hypnotic
Chorus:
So driver, mi seh don't stop at all, drop this Arizona round a Alba Mall
Driver, mi seh don't even hitch, collect dat likkle food deh yah and come back quick
Driver, just rememba di damn speed limit
Cause if yuh, run in di Feds my friend dat is it
Verse 2:
A business man a run mi nuh inna nuh but nor because
My gal waan wear Victoria Secret draws
Sam nuh love pay so yuh fi put it pon pause
Billy a informa wid federal charge
Memba, don't carry nuh body a mi yard
Soldier mi love and mi nuh respect coward
I deh pon a mission man hustlin hard
No ghetto yute should ever suffer and starve
Hustlin ability we learn dat a yard
Nuh feel yuh brain big, nuh bodda draw card
Di last bwoy weh try dat dead like dog
Sell off!!! Weh yuh have a mek we set new record
Chorus
Driver, mi seh don't stop at all, drop this Arizona round a Alba Mall
Driver, mi seh don't even hitch, collect di likkle spenny and come back quick
Driver, just rememba di damn speed limit
An' if yuh, run in di cops my friend dat is it
Outro:
Action packed why some bwoy a pure lip
Go deh Buju Banton cau yuh know yuh caan slip
Reach awn pon the riddim fi mek dem turn and dip
Watch it mek di rudebwoy show dem how we do it
When yuh a drive, mek sure yuh maintain speed limit, to...
Buju Banton's song Driver A is a story of a drug dealer who instructs his driver to deliver drugs to a certain location and warns him not to stop or talk to anyone along the way. The dealer emphasizes the importance of ensuring that everything is done according to his instructions to avoid any problems with the authorities. He gives the driver a Nextel phone and a Cingular chip to ensure that he can be reached in case of any problems. He reminds the driver not to exceed the speed limit and not to carry any passengers or any unexpected cargo. He also warns him not to bring anyone to his house and to keep his ability to hustle hard.
In the chorus, the dealer tells the driver not to stop at all and to drop the drugs in Arizona around the Alba Mall. He warns him not to hitch on the way and not to exceed the speed limit to avoid being caught by the cops. He emphasizes that if anything happens along the way, his friend's life will be at risk.
In verse two, the dealer emphasizes that he is not in any gang but just doing his business to fulfill his gal's desires. He warns the driver not to carry anyone to his house and emphasizes the importance of hustling hard to avoid suffering and starving. He cautions against drawing attention to oneself and warns against disrespecting a soldier. He encourages the driver to sell off the drugs he has to set a new record and show people how to do it.
Line by Line Meaning
I waan yuh carry this round di road fah mi
I need you to drive and transport something for me
And don't tek nuh talk from nobody
Don't listen to anyone else's instructions or opinions
Just do weh mi tell yuh fi do seen star
Only follow my instructions and do exactly what I say
And mek sure everyting work according to how man seh everyting fi work seen
Make sure everything is done exactly as I instructed it to be done
Tek back yuhself and bring back yuhself inna one peace
Take care of yourself and come back safely
Mek sure seh yuh reach, hear mi. Lawd a mercy, hey, lawd-of-his mercy, lawd a mercy
Make sure you arrive at your destination safely, listen to me carefully
Driver, don't stop at all, drop this Arizona round a Alba Mall
Driver, do not make any stops or detours, deliver this package to Alba Mall, Arizona
Driver, don't even hitch, collect dat likkle food deh yah and come back quick
Driver, do not delay or stop to pick up anything, collect the package and return quickly
Driver, just rememba di damn speed limit. Cause if yuh, run in di Feds my friend dat is it
Driver, be mindful of the speed limit or else we will run into trouble with the law enforcement
I've got a Nextel phone and a Cingular chip
I have a phone with two different carriers
Any problem yuh can reach mi pon this
If there are any issues, you can contact me through this phone
A pounds dem a buy when a tons man a ship
People purchase pounds of goods while others ship tons
Green like grass brown like chocolate
The goods being transported come in different colors and shades
Fed Ex an' UPS a mek several trip
Fed Ex and UPS are making multiple trips for me
All mi life savings a ride pon this
I have put all my money into this venture
Yuh can, drink a beer but don't yuh dare bun a spliff
You can drink beer but you cannot smoke marijuana
Di scent a di marijuana mek yuh yeye top lift
The smell of marijuana can attract unwanted attention
Even though it compress and tie dung inna plastic
Even though the goods are compressed and packaged
Don't deliver it a go end up drastic
Do not deliver the goods and cause something disastrous to happen
A barrel gun mi buss and mi an' yuh know it caan stick
I have a gun and you know I am not afraid to use it
Mi waan change mi zinc and put up deh decromastic
I want to upgrade and improve my house
Tired fi sip Red Bull a straight Hypnotic
I am tired of drinking Red Bull, I want to drink Hypnotic instead
A business man a run mi nuh inna nuh but nor because
I am not involved with any business man except for a specific reason
My gal waan wear Victoria Secret draws
My girlfriend wants to wear Victoria's Secret lingerie
Sam nuh love pay so yuh fi put it pon pause
Sam does not like to pay, so we need to temporarily stop services for him
Billy a informa wid federal charge
Someone named Billy has been charged with a federal crime and may be an informant
Memba, don't carry nuh body a mi yard
Remember, do not bring anyone to my house
Soldier mi love and mi nuh respect coward
I respect soldiers and have no respect for cowards
I deh pon a mission man hustlin hard
I am on a mission and working hard to succeed
No ghetto yute should ever suffer and starve
No young person from the ghetto should have to suffer and go hungry
Hustlin ability we learn dat a yard
We learned our hustling skills while growing up in our neighborhood
Nuh feel yuh brain big, nuh bodda draw card
Do not act too confident, do not try to show off
Di last bwoy weh try dat dead like dog
The last person who tried to challenge us ended up dead
Sell off!!! Weh yuh have a mek we set new record
Sell everything you have, let's make a new record for profits
Action packed why some bwoy a pure lip
Some people talk but do not take action
Go deh Buju Banton cau yuh know yuh caan slip
Follow my example, Buju Banton, because you cannot fail
Reach awn pon the riddim fi mek dem turn and dip
Feel the rhythm and make the crowd dance
Watch it mek di rudebwoy show dem how we do it
Watch as the tough guys demonstrate how to succeed in this business
When yuh a drive, mek sure yuh maintain speed limit
When you are driving, make sure you abide by the speed limit
Contributed by Ian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@queenparchment2582
2023 N STILL LISTENING ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½
@Danielsmith-230v
OMG I've found it. Years ago when I was an apprentice electrician I used to work with a Rasta Guy who showed me the the ropes and always played these kind of tunes in his Van this song always stuck in my head. Didn't know the lyrics or who the song was by. All I remembered was DRIVER!!!! π€£π€£π€£
@dylanstringer7168
Hell yeah man and he's rapping about selling gas long before marijuana dispensaries came into play and. They used the bare minimum to get it done, a true reggae legend π― also from my understanding hes kin to Sean Kingston
@NijahovaWorld
@@dylanstringer7168 you dont know what your talking about ππππ its cool ill inform u.. in NO WAY IS HE RELATED TO NO DAMN SEAN KINGSTON ππππ.. u was right about the weed stuff tho lmaooo
@dylanstringer7168
@@NijahovaWorld ok...I don't remember saying he's DEFINITELY related to him it's what iv been told...but thanks for your input bra I can finally get some sleep at night π simp
@NijahovaWorld
@@dylanstringer7168 πππ real Jamaicans dont really rock with that clown sean kingston.. hes related to Jack Ruby, a famous producer from the 70s. But yeah. Sleep well and enjoy Buju.
@Thugnific3nt
@@dylanstringer7168 he may or may not have caught ur condescending sarcastic tone but I did. And unless you were told that by a jamaican, you should have kept it to urself you racist piece of shi. Wr dont all look alike and not related you hill billy
@CB14049
massive tune
@johnnieblades
MASSIVE MON
@ninosimone
This song feels so good driving down the highway βΊοΈπππππ