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.
Fast Lane
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Instrumental)
Mhmmmmmm
Already did it
Through di ups and downs and di hassle and tassel an stress it brings
I am gonna elaborate, give me time to tell you certain things
Di joy it brings and di sorrow (oh it wasn't worth it)
Take away your today and destroy your tomorrow
Verse 1
Run up inna di fedz and mi food get suck off
Seven a mi base buss and everyting lass
Di sojah dem act tuff, mi check it dem soft
Who sell mi out, a who a wuk craft
Now mi drop a yard mi hear di whole a dem a laugh
Mi used to wear Prado, now mi haffi wear Clarks
Benz inna foreign a nuh walk man a walk
I am di ghost Senatra who dem used to call boss
Control buildings, lots and parks
I call di shots, create all di laws
Looking back ma life was really filled with flaws
Moving in di fast lane wid no time to pause
Now ma wife inna foreign wid anoda man a floss
Ma son out of hand an he's skipping class
Ma dauta is pregnant an don't know di pops
Am only giving you di facts
A telling you
Chorus
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Use me as di perfect example, look at me an where am at
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Use me as di perfect example, look at me an where am at
Verse 2
I've been robbed, stabbed, shot, locked up an released den locked up back
Ninety per cent of the prison population black
Di other five per cent white, di oda five lot
Cubans are welcomed, Haitians turn back
Who create methamphetamine, speed an crack
Who start a war when there's no reason fi dat
Why di judge lie in pursuit a greed
Who elect aneda dictata to lead
Tribal war when wi lift he ova
Through di eyes of reform, ma people get ova
Why should funerals make us rememba
Think inna yuh self, black people get stronger
Hear di words whe mi a utter
Mi say hey
Chorus
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Here is that perfect example, look at me an where am at
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Here is that perfect example, look at me an where am at
Yea, woii
Look at me an where am at, yea
Lawd
Look at me an
Verse 1
Run up inna di fedz and mi food get suck off
Seven a mi base shut and everything lass
Di sojah dem act tuff, mi check it dem soft
Who sell mi out, a who a wuk craft
Now mi drop back a yard mi hear di whole a dem a laugh
Mi used to wear Prado, now mi haffi wear Clarks
Benz inna foreign but a walk man a walk
I am di mafiosa who dem used to call boss
Control buildings, lots and parks
I call di shots, create all di laws
Looking back ma life was really filled with flaws
Moving in di fast lane wid no time to pause
Mi wife inna foreign wid a noda man a floss
Mi son out of hand an he's skipping class
Ma dauta is pregnant an doe know di pops
Listen while I giving unu di facts
Relax now
Chorus
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Here is that perfect example, look at me an where am at
I was living my life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
Here is that perfect example, look at me an where am at
Yea
The song "Fast Lane" by Buju Banton seems to be a reflection of his life experience. The lyrics suggest that he has been through difficult times and has made mistakes along the way. Buju talks about his troubles with the law, his disappointing relationships with his family, and his failures in life. However, as the song unfolds, he realizes that living life in the fast lane was not worth it. He acknowledges that the joy and the sorrow that he has experienced along the way, which wasn't worth it at all, have impacted his life.
Buju makes a perfect example of himself for anyone who desires to learn from his mistakes. He reminds us to slow down and take our time, so we do not end up like him. The fast life may seem attractive and exciting, but it eventually leads to disappointment, pain, and regret. The song is a message of self-reflection, an encouragement to make better life choices and avoid the fast lane, which Buju Banton once lived.
In conclusion, "Fast Lane" is a thought-provoking and introspective song that encourages the audience to learn from the artist's experience. Buju urges us that despite the allurement of a fast-paced life, it leads to more harm than good. Through his lyrics, he reminds us that no matter how difficult life can be, we should not forget the importance of slowing down and reflecting on our choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Already did it
I have experienced it already
We been through it (Oh we been through the worst)
We have gone through difficult experiences in the past
Through di ups and downs and di hassle and tassel an stress it brings
We have experienced both good and bad times and the stress that comes with it
I am gonna elaborate, give me time to tell you certain things
I will provide more details and explanations, please allow me the time to do so
Di joy it brings and di sorrow (oh it wasn't worth it)
There were moments of happiness, but overall it was not worth it
Take away your today and destroy your tomorrow
Living life recklessly can ruin both the present and future
Run up inna di fedz and mi food get suck off
I was robbed by the authorities and lost my food supplies
Seven a mi base buss and everyting lass
My criminal enterprise was raided and everything was lost
Di sojah dem act tuff, mi check it dem soft
The soldiers act tough, but they are actually weak
Who sell mi out, a who a wuk craft
Someone betrayed me, I wonder who it was
Now mi drop a yard mi hear di whole a dem a laugh
When I returned home, everyone was laughing at me
Mi used to wear Prado, now mi haffi wear Clarks
I used to wear expensive clothes, but now I have to wear cheaper ones
Benz inna foreign a nuh walk man a walk
Only wealthy people can afford to drive a Benz abroad
I am di ghost Senatra who dem used to call boss
I am like Frank Sinatra, the legendary singer, who was once called boss
Control buildings, lots and parks
I have control over properties such as buildings, lots and parks
I call di shots, create all di laws
I am in charge and make all the important decisions and laws
Looking back ma life was really filled with flaws
When I reflect on my past, I realize that there were many mistakes and imperfections
Moving in di fast lane wid no time to pause
I was living recklessly, without taking the time to slow down and think about my decisions
Now ma wife inna foreign wid anoda man a floss
My wife is living abroad and showing off her new partner
Ma son out of hand an he's skipping class
My son is being disobedient and not attending school
Ma dauta is pregnant an don't know di pops
My daughter is pregnant, but doesn't know who the father is
Am only giving you di facts
I am telling you the truth
I was living life on the fast lane, like a train on di track
I was living recklessly, like a train moving fast on a track
Use me as di perfect example, look at me an where am at
Look at me as an example of what not to do
I've been robbed, stabbed, shot, locked up an released den locked up back
I have experienced being robbed, stabbed, and shot, and been in and out of prison multiple times
Ninety per cent of the prison population black
The majority of the prison population is made up of Black individuals
Di other five per cent white, di oda five lot
Five percent of the prison population is white, while the other five percent is made up of people of various races
Cubans are welcomed, Haitians turn back
Cubans are allowed in, but Haitians are turned away
Who create methamphetamine, speed an crack
Those who manufacture drugs like methamphetamine, speed and crack cocaine
Who start a war when there's no reason fi dat
Those who initiate a war without a valid reason
Why di judge lie in pursuit a greed
Why do judges lie to benefit themselves financially
Who elect aneda dictata to lead
Who chooses another dictator to lead
Tribal war when wi lift he ova
There's a tendency to engage in conflict with each other when in positions of power
Through di eyes of reform, ma people get ova
In the context of reform, people can move on from past problems and conflicts
Why should funerals make us rememba
Why does it take someone's death to make us remember how we should have treated them when they were alive
Think inna yuh self, black people get stronger
Believe in yourself, and Black people will become stronger
Mi say hey
I say
Look at me an where am at, yea
Take a look at me and where I am now
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mark Myrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flavorofthemonth1499
My dad put me onto this Buju song some years ago in my early twenties and he pointed out how much game Buju dropped in the lyrics (ie him going to jail). The production always stood out to me but his hook and performance are so memorable it'll always stick with me as a point in time in my life spending time with my did. My dad loves Gargomel and that has definitely been passed on growing up on him he's probably still my favorite dancehall artist even though I like new shit and some of the international romanticized versions. Glad Buju Banton is finally home!
@zillogullu33
big up your old man
@NafeesTejani
That's awesome Flavor! I can only hope my girls post something like this when they're your age!!! I try to share them the rebel spirit of what makes music so passionate... Everything from Buju to Dead Presidents... the lyrical content, passion... over this amazing flute heavy production! So good.
@tasmieabroomfield3495
Tun up💯🇯🇲 unstoppable buju
@philbertbaileymusicgroup2362
Powerful love the transparency in this writing,
Also the willingness to teach others from your own experience is just wow. Welcome ❤❤🇯🇲🇯🇲❤
@ErectkyleDysfunction
This song was written and release more than 4 years before he was arrested in 2010.
It's more so a powerful foreshadowing.
@adenharewood7809
Big Tune
@bba6669
Respect Buju
REALITY
I have been there
Stay Blessed
@american_citizen9169
Buju has always been one of my favorite artists. ✌️
@roseleeprim
BUJU always. Fan for life. Real talk.