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.
Hurt Us No More
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rise up now!
Come on, come on, come on, come on...
I say!
Didnt hurt us no more (no more, no more)
Wipe those tear up from your eye
Cant afflict us no more (no more, no more)
No more of life beyond the line, til I work and I hide
Didnt hurt us no more (no more, no more)
Wipe those tear up from your eye
Oh redemption drawing nigh
Cant afflict us no more (no more, no more)
Oh redemption drawing nigh, oh redemption, I say!
In my solace (solace!)
There was only malice (malice!)
I felt like a prince who became prisoner
Inside his own palace (palace)
Wit noone to care for me
Accused by society (accused and abused)
I strike a match in room, it burns through all the world
Light weh fyah!
I pray; for the falling of all wicked man,
I pray; for the falling of all wicked man,
Said I pray; for the falling of all wicked man,
I pray; for the falling, ay ay ay! Rise, rise rise!
Didnt hurt us no more (no more, no more)
Move the tears up from your eye
Oh redemption drawing nigh
Cant afflict us no more (no more, no more)
No more of life is on the line, til I work and I hide
You cannot treat I how you want to (how you want to)
We've been down so many times (hauling me through)
Take back your money, call back your gold!
Go away, you cant take my soul, oh, no!
Cant afflict us more (no more, no more)
Wipe the tears up from your eye,
Oh man why do you cry?
Cannot hurt us more more! (no more, no more)
Oh my life is on the line, til I work and I hide!
In my solace, lord! (solace!)
There was only malice (malice!)
I felt like a prince who became prisoner (like a pri-so-ner)
Inside his own palace (palace)
Wit noone to care for me,
Noone to cheer for me,
I strike a match in room, it burns through all the world,
Light weh fyah!
I be pray; for the falling of all wicked man
I pray; for the falling of all wicked
Yes I pray; for the falling of all wicked man
I pray; every day, what the conga man say?
Didnt hurt me no more, (no more, no more)
Man move the tears up from your eye
Oh redemption drawing nigh
Cant afflict you more (no more, no more)
Oh my life is on the line, til I work and I hide
Cant hurt you no more, (no more, no more)
Move the tears up from your eye
Song redepmtion drawing nigh
Cant afflict you no more (no more, no more)
Oh your life is on the line, sonny where can you hide?
From all those wicked man (Mmm...)
From all those wicked man (Mmm...)
From all those wicked man (Mmm...)
from all those (Mmmm...)
Take back your money, call back your gold! (Mmmm...)
You cannot take my soul! (Mmmm...)
What you've got is just physical control! (Mmmm...)
Jah ruly have di mind and soul! Soul!
You cant hurt me no more (no more, no more)
Move the tears up from your eye
Oh redemption cometh nigh
Cant afflict us no more! (no more, no more)
For those redemption drawing nigh
Take I! I, I, I!
Hurt me no more (no more, no more)
Move the tears up from your eye
Song redemption drawing, drawing nigh!
Hurt me no more! (no more, no more)
Ye-aah.
Prop prop prop prop! Ay!
The song "Hurt Us No More" by Buju Banton is a call to action to rise up against societal oppression and injustice. The lyrics convey Banton's personal experience of being falsely accused and abused by society, likening himself to a prince who became a prisoner inside his own palace. However, he finds solace in his faith in Jah, praying for the falling of all wicked men and asserting that they can no longer hurt him or the marginalized in society. The song ends with a powerful chant to rise up and take hold of redemption that is drawing nigh.
The repetition of the phrase "no more" highlights the theme of liberation from past hurts and pain, inviting listeners to join in the fight against oppression. The use of Jamaican Patois throughout the song adds an authentic flavor to the lyrics and underscores Banton's roots in Caribbean culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Rise up y'all!
Calling everyone to rise up and stand together.
Rise up now!
Urging people to take action and rise up immediately.
Come on, come on, come on, come on...
Encouraging people to join in and take part in rising up.
Didnt hurt us no more (no more, no more)
No one can hurt or harm us anymore.
Wipe those tear up from your eye
Encouraging people to stop crying and move on from the past.
Cah you redemption drawing nigh
Redemption and salvation is coming soon, so be hopeful.
Cant afflict us no more (no more, no more)
No one can afflict us or cause us suffering any longer.
No more of life beyond the line, til I work and I hide
No more living on the edge, have to work hard and hide to stay safe.
In my solace (solace!)
In my moments of peace and calm.
There was only malice (malice!)
However, all there was around was hate and evil.
I felt like a prince who became prisoner
Felt like a powerful person stuck in a bad situation with no escape.
Inside his own palace (palace)
Trapped within the walls of their own supposed sanctuary.
Wit noone to care for me
Alone and neglected by others.
Accused by society (accused and abused)
Being blamed and victimized by society.
I strike a match in room, it burns through all the world
The anger inside can be powerful and dangerous and can affect anything and everything.
Light weh fyah!
The resulting fire of that anger.
I pray; for the falling of all wicked man,
Asking for the downfall of all wicked people.
Oh redemption drawing nigh, oh redemption, I say!
Believing that redemption is indeed near.
You cannot treat I how you want to (how you want to)
No one can mistreat and abuse me anymore.
We've been down so many times (hauling me through)
We've been beaten and defeated before, but still keep moving forward.
Go away, you cant take my soul, oh, no!
Refusing to let anyone take away one's sense of self and humanity.
Oh man why do you cry?
Questioning why people are still crying and not moving on.
Cannot hurt us more more! (no more, no more)
Believing that no one can hurt or harm us anymore.
Oh my life is on the line, til I work and I hide!
Having to struggle and hide to stay safe and alive.
Light weh fyah!
The anger and fury that drives us.
Jah ruly have di mind and soul! Soul!
Knowing that the divine has control over one's heart and soul.
Oh redemption cometh nigh
Having faith that redemption is indeed coming soon.
Take I! I, I, I!
Choosing to take action and rise up.
Ye-aah.
Expressing agreement and understanding.
Prop prop prop prop! Ay!
An exclamation of excitement and energy.
Writer(s): Mark Anthony Myrie
Contributed by Parker Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oneil Palmer
one more of my favorites ❤
doubleB
Is this music from the area 51??? 😂😂😂
Oneil matthew Martin
Dead up
Jamaica Jamaica
JAH GOD KNO TO 🤬🤬🤬🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Oneil matthew Martin
Beg you 200$
Sherry Bridges
I'm not trying to hurt No body.