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.
Good Looking Gal
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(
From unnu sentimental de man dem Attach to yu like band aid or wha
Woman unnu look sweet buju banton holla out
Cream of the crop(buss it star)
Good (A)looking gal (Bm)how yu look so good
Good (A)looking gal (Bm)how yu look so good
i wanna (A)be Personal (Bm)access you like i should
(A)I'm not the baker nor the (Bm)clerk dressed in silk
(A)I'm not the gardener i'm the (Bm)man who carry the milk
One (A)hundred perscent fresh (Bm)natural what you think
Cause (A)when yu screw the way you way you do the (Bm)whole place a see
Yuh (A)enemys cry the man dem a die where (Bm)did you get that mink
With the (A)charming style rudebwoy profile i (Bm)love it when yuh wink
(A)Woman inna mi cottage is (Bm)where yu belong
(A)Spend the whole nite (Bm)singing the same song
Yuh (A)move me get groovy alla (Bm)dis was my plan
all my (A)dreams were shattered when i (Bm)heard yu have a man
(A)House an mi money a (Bm)u mi bet it pan
And mi (A)loose every penny dis is (Bm)my confession
She nuh (A)washova she a sterling so she (Bm)keep shining
(A)Fresh like the water from the (Bm)evian spring
She nuh (A)big and blagga blagga she's (Bm)slim and trim
Woman yuh (A)looks is a mus (Bm)iq a a+
And yuh nuh (A)stop from fly out regular (Bm)pan the air bus
(A)Remember not even yuh (Bm)shadow yuh fi truss
How many (A)times they tried to harm you (Bm)numerous
And mi a (A)warn you because i want to (Bm)see yuh life up
With yuh (A)hills an yu valleys full a (Bm)curves no slope
Mi caan (A)express mi self (Bm)woman yuh know the ropes
The lyrics to Buju Banton's song "Good Looking Gal" are a tribute to a beautiful woman for her physical appearance and charming personality. Banton admits to being possessive of her and wanting her all to himself. He describes himself as a milkman who delivers freshness, and he thinks the woman fits perfectly in his cottage. They have a deep connection, and it leads him to sing about her often. However, she has a man, and Banton feels like his dreams have been shattered. Despite this setback, he still admires her elegance and describes her as an "A+."
Line by Line Meaning
From unnu sentimental de man dem Attach to yu like band aid or wha
There are men who are attached to you like a band-aid due to your affectionate nature.
Woman unnu look sweet buju banton holla out
Buju Banton is appreciating the beauty of the women.
Cream of the crop(buss it star)
Women of the highest quality.
Good looking gal how yu look so good
Buju Banton is complimenting the appearance of the women.
i wanna be Personal possess you like i should
He wants to have a personal relationship and keep them close.
I'm not the baker nor the clerk dressed in silk
Buju Banton is not just an ordinary person but has a unique profession.
I'm not the gardener i'm the man who carry the milk
He is not a gardener, instead he delivers milk.
One hundred perscent fresh natural what you think
He is totally natural and genuine.
Cause when yu screw the way you way you do the whole place a see
When she moves, everybody notices due to her charming nature.
Yuh enemys cry the man dem a die where did you get that mink
People who are jealous of her ask how she affords such luxuries.
With the charming style rudebwoy profile i love it when yuh wink
Buju Banton finds her style and personality attractive.
Woman inna mi cottage is where yu belong
He feels that she belongs with him in his home.
Spend the whole nite singing the same song
They would spend time together all night long.
Yuh move me get groovy alla dis was my plan
She makes him feel good and he enjoys spending time with her.
all my dreams were shattered when i heard yu have a man
His dreams of being with her were crushed when he found out that she already has a man.
House an mi money a u mi bet it pan
He has gambled and lost all his money and property on her.
And mi loose every penny dis is my confession
He confesses that he has lost everything due to his infatuation with her.
She nuh washova she a sterling so she keep shining
She is not just a follower, but a leader who keeps shining.
Fresh like the water from the evian spring
She is fresh and pure.
She nuh big and blagga blagga she's slim and trim
She is not overly big and flashy but is slim and elegant.
Woman yuh looks is a musiq a a+
Her beauty is delightful like a musical masterpiece with an A+ score.
And yuh nuh stop from fly out regular pan the air bus
She frequently travels by airplane.
Remember not even yuh shadow yuh fi truss
Reminding her to always be suspicious of people, even her own shadow.
How many times they tried to harm you numerous
People have tried to harm her many times in the past.
And mi a warn you because i want to see yuh life up
He warns her to protect herself so that she can have a good life.
With yuh hills an yu valleys full a curves no slope
She has curves in all the right places without being overly round or bumpy.
Mi caan express mi self woman yuh know the ropes
He is so captivated by her that he cannot express himself properly, and she knows it.
Contributed by Eva I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DJMIGHTYZION
Check out this video on YouTube: Buju Banton- good looking Pls share and subscribe βοΈ
@ricardobest6417
Free buju
@DJMIGHTYZION
Uduno ricardo best jah bless
@CurvyAries
This is 1 of my favorites from back in the day.Β Lovely classic.
@DJMIGHTYZION
CurvyAries give thanks Iβm gonna be uploading some more tunes soon feel free subscribe π―β
@bigboychickennuggets1095
this takes me back to my childhood
@WhodaWhat_165
This is the song that made me fall in love with the great BUJU.B. In high school.
@jennamohammed7805
Classics, my son daddy caught me with this tuneeee yrs ago LoL π he was at a basement party β₯οΈππππΌπΌπΌπΌπΌ
@DJMIGHTYZION
Jenna Mohammed please subscribe for more classics π
@brentjames6049
Mawd LoL