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.
Hotness
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring me only joy, don′t bring no sorrow
Call me optimistic, I believe in life
All is here for the taking for a price
For a price, yeah, for a price, for a price, good Lord
And I say, I know that the sun will come out tomorrow
Bring me only joy, no more sorrow
Call me optimistic, I believe in life, yeah
And it's a magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
Oh magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
I said, where the mystic is always around
You enjoy the sights and sound
So high you don′t wanna be down
This is where I can be found
Yeah, where the mystic is all around
Enjoy the sights and the sounds
So high you don't wanna be down
And this is where I can be
It's the magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
Whoa, magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
Ay, yeah, I was depressed, frustrated and lonely
Then a voice from nowhere came and consoled me
Now do the best you can, you stand up and be a man
You′re in the magic city with magic lights
Oh, magic moments, magical heights
This magic city, magic lights
Magical moments, magical heights
I know that the sun will come out tomorrow
Bring me only joy don′t bring no sorrow, no, no
Call me optimistic, man believe in life, yeah
And all is there for the taking for a price
You're in the magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
Whoa, magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights, yeah
Magic lights, magic moments, magical heights
Whoa, magic city, magical heights
Magic moments, I tell you once more
Where the mystic is all around
You enjoy the sights and the sound
So high you don′t wanna be down
This is where I can be found
Down there where the mystic is all around
Enjoy the sights and the sound
So high you don't wanna be down
Down there, that′s, that's where I can
City, lights, moments, magical heights
Oh, magic city, magic lights
Magic moments, magical heights
Ay, magic city, magic lights
Magical moments, magical heights
Magic city, magic lights, moments, heights
City, lights, moments, heights
City, lights, moments, heights
City, lights, moments, heights
City, lights, moments, heights
The lyrics to Buju Banton's song "Hotness" convey an optimistic outlook on life and an appreciation for the magic that exists all around us. Banton repeatedly asserts his belief that the sun will always come out tomorrow, bringing only joy and no sorrow. He calls himself an optimist and insists that everything in life is available for the taking, for a price. The song also praises the magical quality of life in a certain city, where the mystic is always around and where one can enjoy magical moments and reach magical heights. Banton speaks of being consoled by a voice that urged him to stand up and be a man, to do the best he can in the magic city with its magic lights and heights.
Overall, the song is a celebration of optimism, magic, and the possibilities that life has to offer. Banton encourages listeners to see the beauty and potential in everything and to strive to reach their own magical heights.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that the sun will come out tomorrow
I am hopeful that good things will happen in the future.
Bring me only joy, don′t bring no sorrow
I want to experience happiness and avoid sadness.
Call me optimistic, I believe in life
I have a positive outlook and am confident in the future.
All is here for the taking for a price
Anything I want can be obtained, but it may require a sacrifice.
And it's a magic city, magic lights
The place I am in is special, with an aura of wonder.
Magic moments, magical heights
Extraordinary experiences await in this place.
Oh magic city, magic lights
The location I am in is enchanting and captivating.
I said, where the mystic is always around
This is a place where an air of mystery and spirituality is present at all times.
You enjoy the sights and sound
The surroundings are visually and aurally pleasing.
So high you don't wanna be down
Being in this place feels euphoric and I don't want to leave.
And this is where I can be
This place is where I feel most comfortable and content.
Ay, yeah, I was depressed, frustrated and lonely
I used to feel sad, annoyed and isolated.
Then a voice from nowhere came and consoled me
An unexpected form of comfort helped lift my spirits.
Now do the best you can, you stand up and be a man
I am encouraged to put forth my best effort and be strong and resilient.
You're in the magic city, magic lights
I am in a place that is exceptional and exudes a sense of amazement.
Oh, magic moments, magical heights
In this place, there are extraordinary moments and experiences to be had.
City, lights, moments, magical heights
This place brings together the elements of a city with the wonder of magic and heightens experiences to unbeatable levels.
Writer(s): Myrie Mark Anthony, Myers Dwight, Kelly Dave Willard Anthony
Contributed by Maria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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?