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.
I Rise
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still we rise
Rastaman open your eyes, yeah
I rise from the concrete
'Cause the earth was my bed
And the sky was my roof, yes
I rise up from the concrete
Yeah, oh yeah
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
And if I'm inna want, you don't know
If I'm inna need, you don't know
My necessities, no cash flow
Hey, where's my next meal coming from?
You don't know
Jah make a way
In desolate places He will find our bread
Be not dismayed, it's that powers that guide
I from ancients of old
I rise, oh, I rose up from that concrete
Whoa now, whoa, 'cause the earth was my bed
And the sky was my roof, aye
Dreadlock rise up from the concrete, Lawd
Searching to find my bread, whoa now
'Cause what? You see my smiling face
And you think all is great
But if you knew the other half
Then bredrin', you would laugh
Man rise, man rose up from the concrete, oh now
'Cause the earth was my bed
And Jah sky was the roof, aye
Bongo man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head I'm telling you this now
Even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
This time in Iration, man won't beg
This time in Iration, hold up your head
Whatever you want make your sweat shed
And if you work hard, you will attain your bread
Whoa, this time hey, natty dread
Whoa, this time, aye
Man just rise, man rose up from the concrete
Whoa yeah, whoa yeah, the earth was my bed
And Jah sky was the roof, Lawd
I man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Oh now, oh now
But even though it seems hard
I'mma gonna hold up my head, whoa
You see my smiling face so you think all is great
But friend if you knew the other half
Then you would laugh
Man just rise, man rise up from the concrete
Oh now, Lawd, the earth was my bed
And the sky was the roof
I man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it's so hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
Aye, I say, well, even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head, once more
If I'm inna want, you don't know
And if I'm inna need, you don't know
My necessities, no cash flow
Hey, where is my next meal coming from?
You won't know
Jah make a way
In desolate places Buju find him bread
Be not dismayed, it is that powers
That guide man from ancients of old
Man rise, rise up from that concrete, oh now
The song "I Rise" by Buju Banton is a testament to perseverance and resilience in the face of adversities. The lyrics speak of the struggles of the Rastafarian community and the marginalized individuals who face hardship and discrimination. The song starts with an appeal to Rastafarian men to open their eyes and rise above the difficulties they have been facing. Buju emphasizes that despite the challenging circumstances, they will rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
The metaphor of rising from the concrete is used to symbolize the resilience and strength of the marginalized communities who have had to endure difficult living conditions. The lyrics portray a vision that even the most challenging conditions such as sleeping on concrete can be overcome.
Buju speaks of overcoming adverse circumstances without expecting any support from others. He highlights the fact that he has been searching to find his bread and that his necessities are a struggle to come by. He invokes his faith in Jah to find his way even in the most desolate of places. The song's overarching message is that one can rise above their circumstances and become the best version of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, we've been struggling
Acknowledging the hardships and difficulties that have been faced
Still we rise
Despite these struggles, determination to persevere and overcome
Rastaman open your eyes, yeah
Urging fellow Rastas to be aware of their surroundings and the world they live in
I rise from the concrete
Symbolic representation of overcoming challenges and obstacles
'Cause the earth was my bed
A reference to the difficulties faced in impoverished living situations
And the sky was my roof, yes
Highlighting the lack of resources and necessities available
Man was searching to find his bread
Struggles with finding the basic needs of survival, such as food
And even though it seems hard
Acknowledging that the journey may not be easy
I'm gonna hold up my head
Determination and resilience to keep moving forward
If I'm inna want, you don't know
Challenges faced with meeting basic needs
If I'm inna need, you don't know
Acknowledging the lack of understanding and awareness of others' struggles
My necessities, no cash flow
Highlighting the struggle with financial resources and security
Jah make a way
Belief in a higher power to guide and provide
In desolate places He will find our bread
Trusting that even in difficult circumstances, there will be a solution
Be not dismayed, it's that powers that guide
Encouragement to have faith and trust in that higher power
This time in Iration, man won't beg
Determination to not rely on handouts but to work hard and provide for oneself
Whatever you want make your sweat shed
Emphasis on hard work and effort to attain one's goals
And if you work hard, you will attain your bread
Belief in the rewards of perseverance and hard work
But friend if you knew the other half, then you would laugh
Highlighting the struggles and hardships that are not always visible to others
Contributed by Muhammad Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TropasDeZambales
Hey, we've been struggling
Still we rise
Rastaman open your eyes, yeah
I rise from the concrete
'Cause the earth was my bed
And the sky was my roof, yes
I rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Yeah, oh yeah
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
And if I'm inna want, you don't know
If I'm inna need, you don't know
My necessities, no cash flow
Hey, where's my next meal coming from?
You don't know
Jah make a way
In desolate places He will find our bread
Be not dismayed, it's that powers that guide
I from ancients of old
I rise, oh, I rose up from that concrete
Whoa now, whoa, 'cause the earth was my bed
And the sky was my roof, aye
Dreadlock rise up from the concrete, Lawd
Searching to find my bread, whoa now
'Cause what? You see my smiling face
And you think all is great
But if you knew the other half
Then bredrin', you would laugh
Man rise, man rose up from the concrete, oh now
'Cause the earth was my bed
And Jah sky was the roof, aye
Bongo man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head I'm telling you this now
Even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
This time in Iration, man won't beg
This time in Iration, hold up your head
Whatever you want make your sweat shed
And if you work hard, you will attain your bread
Whoa, this time hey, natty dread
Whoa, this time, aye
Man just rise, man rose up from the concrete
Whoa yeah, whoa yeah, the earth was my bed
And Jah sky was the roof, Lawd
I man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Oh now, oh now
But even though it seems hard
I'mma gonna hold up my head, whoa
You see my smiling face so you think all is great
But friend if you knew the other half
Then you would laugh
Man just rise, man rise up from the concrete
Oh now, Lawd, the earth was my bed
And the sky was the roof
I man rise up from the concrete
Man was searching to find his bread
Whoa now, whoa now
And even though it's so hard
I'm gonna hold up my head
Aye, I say, well, even though it seems hard
I'm gonna hold up my head, once more
If I'm inna want, you don't know
And if I'm inna need, you don't know
My necessities, no cash flow
Hey, where is my next meal coming from?
You won't know
Jah make a way
In desolate places Buju find him bread
Be not dismayed, it is that powers
That guide man from ancients of old
Man rise, rise up from that concrete, oh man
@MichaelCobbs
I rise!
@avanellmckenzie8359
Yes boss .....pure vibes .....RISE ππΏππΏππΏππΏππΏππΏ
@frankjohnson9372
Buju the realest π₯π₯π₯π₯βπΎπͺπΎππΎ
@meribenz8725
Damn my spliff and buju got me in a nice trip love from Holland π€©π€€π
@nathaleesimons5763
Buju Banton.... Thanks for the real vibes..... we rise for sure... Jah bless you always...
@denniswambugu4219
rocking in a 2022
@nycbball8
π―π² π΅π―π²π΅
@jahchild72
Give thanks brother for uplifting music one love jah bless ππΏ
@DJSPEEEDERMAN
Thanks for the natural vibes in the real words in the reggae
@DJSPEEEDERMAN
It s like two personalities for one birth if you want to be a part of the year and the next!! !