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.
Hooked On The Love
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swear to Gargamel she would not misbehave
Why she hook on the love with a crave swear to Gargamel
Hear we
If you don't know the housework you will need to get your
practise
Like caress her body with plenty tenderness
Precision love tight like a vice grip
Sail away far on a cruise ship
Tell you how your pretty compliment you on your hips
Relax by the pool enjoy skinny dip
Last week was Acaopco next week Memphis
Try your best to fulfill her every wish
Never met a woman with such class like this
Miss woman you a rail and kick
Nature take me and you I am your call
I can't forget I longing to hold you in my arms
Cisarm your body really take charge
Tender caressing hot oil massage
Far in a night gown not to mention in a your (emmm)
Drastic measure girl a you i want
Long time now I am watering your plant
Hear Buju Banton a say what am I saying
The song Hooked On The Love by Buju Banton is an ode to the power of love and the desire to keep that love alive. The lyrics suggest that the woman in the song has become addicted to love and cannot resist the urge to behave in a way that is not deemed appropriate. She promises to be faithful to Gargamel, who is believed to be a reference to Buju Banton himself, as she is hooked on the love with a craving. The singer acknowledges the woman's addiction to love and highlights the importance of fulfilling her every desire so that she remains satisfied and faithful.
The lyrics also expound on the idea that love requires effort and dedication to sustain it. The lines "If you don't know the housework you will need to get your practice, Like caress her body with plenty tenderness" suggest that in order to keep the love alive, a man must understand and fulfill the woman's every need. The lyrics emphasize that women seek love and tenderness from their partners, and not physical abuse. The lyrics also suggest that love should be precise and tight like a vice grip, something that is strong and unbreakable. The lyrics paint a picture of a loving relationship where both partners are dedicated to each other and willing to go to great lengths to keep the love alive.
Line by Line Meaning
She said she get hook on love with crave
She expressed that she has become dependent on love with an intense desire.
Swear to Gargamel she would not misbehave
She promised to behave and not engage in any wrongdoing, swearing by the name of Buju Banton's alter ego Gargamel.
Why she hook on the love with a crave swear to Gargamel
The singer questions why the woman has become so addicted to love, emphasizing her declaration by invoking his alter ego Gargamel.
Hear we
The singer calls for attention to what will follow in the lyrics.
If you don't know the housework you will need to get your practise
The singer advises that if one lacks the necessary skills to satisfy their partner, they should practice until they perfect them.
Like caress her body with plenty tenderness
One should touch their partner's body with an abundance of gentleness.
A woman look for man to love them not to box and kick
Women seek men who will love and cherish them, not abuse or mistreat them.
Precision love tight like a vice grip
The love given to one's partner should be precise and strong like a tight grip, leaving no room for doubt.
Sail away far on a cruise ship
The singer envisions a romantic getaway on a cruise ship with one's partner.
Tell you how your pretty compliment you on your hips
The singer encourages complimenting one's partner, in this case, praising her physical features such as hips.
Relax by the pool enjoy skinny dip
Relaxing by the pool and taking a dip naked can be an intimate and enjoyable experience for couples.
Last week was Acaopco next week Memphis
The singer is reminiscing about recent travels, possibly with his partner, and new adventures to come.
Try your best to fulfill her every wish
The singer advises making an effort to grant one's partner's every desire.
Never met a woman with such class like this
The singer has never encountered a woman with such grace and poise as the one he's currently involved with.
Miss woman you a rail and kick
The singer admires and praises his partner, telling her she is outstanding and impressive.
Nature take me and you I am your call
The singer feels that the universe has brought him and his partner together; he belongs to her.
I can't forget I longing to hold you in my arms
The singer cannot forget the longing to embrace his partner in his arms.
Cisarm your body really take charge
The singer wants to take control and hold his partner's body firmly.
Tender caressing hot oil massage
The singer suggests a sensual massage with hot oil to caress his partner's body with tenderness.
Far in a night gown not to mention in a your (emmm)
The singer finds his partner attractive in the way she dresses, hinting that he finds her even more stunning without any clothes on.
Drastic measure girl a you i want
The singer is willing to go to great lengths to be with his partner, emphasizing that she is the one he desires.
Long time now I am watering your plant
The singer has been taking care of his partner's needs and desires for a long time, symbolized here by watering her plant.
Hear Buju Banton a say what am I saying
The singer is asking his audience to pay attention to his message and understand what he is expressing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLEVELAND BROWNE, DONOVAN GERMAIN, MARK MYRIE, WYCLIFFE JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuran Ricardo
on Fake Smile
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If there’s a choking problem she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb. second verse:
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If you have a choking problems she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb
Kern Rodney
on Fake Smile
If there's ah joke in progress share it with everyone, why acting dumb?