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 Wonder
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to be rich cause money is no objective
But from it's good lovin we have it in stock hear wah happen... (oh yes)
Wayne Wonder:
You may not be a movie star you may not drive a big fast car
But I love you in everyway I love you in every way
(Buju Banton: Every way I can tink off)
Buju Banton:
Woman yuh may not be wealthy nah drive a fast car
But mi nah go leff yuh out cau we a come from far
Yuh memba when mi only have one arrow shirt
Now yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
As long as mi deh pon massa God earth
Mi nah fi get where mi a come from mi nah go dish yuh dirt
Wayne Wonder:
I'll keep on loving you (Buju Banton: Always)
Wayne Wonder:
I don't know why oh why I don't know why oh why
Buju Banton:
Here why! Cause I am hooked on yuh lovin like a big snapper fish
Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed a dat mi caan resist
Yuh personality there's no odda like it
Buju Banton tellin di world woman yuh criss
Wayne Wonder:
But I love you in every way I love you in every way
Wayne Wonder:
I don't know why oh why I don't know why oh why
Buju Banton:
Here why! Why is a lookin letter cut it off fi get a fee
Woman I'm tellin you I love you endlessly
Mi nah go pay dem nuh mind mi nah go hear weh dem a seh
Donkey ears now sense a mi and yuh deh
Wayne Wonder:
But I don't care I rather have you I'll keep on lovin you
Wayne Wonder, (Buju Banton):
I don't know why (I'll tell you why) oh why
I don't know why (Hear why!) oh why
I don't know why oh why I don't know why oh why... (Oh oh yes)
Buju Banton:
Woman I seh yuh may not be wealthy nah drive a fast car
But mi nah go leff yuh out cau we a come from far
Yuh memba when mi only have mi one arrow shirt
And yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
As long as mi DJ a deh pon di earth
Mi nah go leff yuh out yuh know mi nah go dish yuh dirt
Wayne Wonder:
I Love you in every way
Wayne Wonder:
I don't know why oh why I don't know why oh why...(I will tell you why... Hear why)
Buju Banton:
Cause I am hooked on your love like a big snapper fish
Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed mek yuh haffi resist
Yuh personality there's no other like it
Buju Banton tellin di world seh yuh criss
A woman like you is one in a million
Waan yuh inna mi arms twenty four seven
I would a get jeolous if mi see a next man
Nah trespass pon mi plantation
Cau mi alone fi have yuh and no other one
Yuh a di greatest woman inna di island
Greater than ruby greater than pearl
Prettiest woman to mi inna di world
Big up yuh chest yuh hear mi a girl
Yuh may not be wealthy or drive a fast car
But mi nah leff yuh we a come from far...
The lyrics of Buju Banton's "I Wonder" are a love letter to a woman that acknowledges that material wealth is not a prerequisite for a fulfilling relationship. Buju and Wayne Wonder sing about their love for a woman who may not possess riches or worldly possessions, but is cherished and valued for who she is. The song expresses that true love is not measured by the things one has or the status they hold, but by the depth of emotions they elicit and the memories they create. The lyrics also touch on the idea that true love can endure the test of time, no matter where one comes from or what they may have lacked in the past.
Buju Banton and Wayne Wonder's voices complement each other perfectly, resulting in a harmonious and uplifting melody. "I Wonder" reminds listeners that true love is not something that can be commodified or superficially acquired, but rather something that is built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and honesty. The song is a celebration of the beauty of simplicity, emphasizing that romantic love can flourish independent of wealth or status.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to be rich cause money is no objective
Money doesn't matter, you don't have to be rich.
But from it's good lovin we have it in stock hear wah happen... (oh yes)
Love is all we need, and we have plenty of it.
You may not be a movie star you may not drive a big fast car
You don't need to be famous or wealthy.
But I love you in everyway I love you in every way
I love you completely, in every aspect.
Every way I can tink off
In every possible way.
I don't know why (I will tell you) oh why I don't know why oh why... (Oh oh yes)
I don't understand why I love you so much, but I do.
Woman yuh may not be wealthy nah drive a fast car
You may not be rich or have a fancy car, but I won't leave you behind.
But mi nah go leff yuh out cau we a come from far
I won't abandon you because we've come a long way together.
Yuh memba when mi only have one arrow shirt
Remember when I had very little and only one shirt?
Now yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt
Now you're a queen beside me, wearing a beautiful dress.
As long as mi deh pon massa God earth
As long as I'm alive on this earth.
Mi nah fi get where mi a come from mi nah go dish yuh dirt
I won't forget where I came from and won't disrespect you.
Here why! Cause I am hooked on yuh lovin like a big snapper fish
I'm addicted to your love like a fish caught on a hook.
Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed a dat mi caan resist
I can't resist the way you look and dress.
Yuh personality there's no odda like it
Your personality is unique and one of a kind.
Buju Banton tellin di world woman yuh criss
I'm telling the world that you're amazing.
Here why! Why is a lookin letter cut it off fi get a fee
Why is just a word, forget about it and love endlessly.
Mi nah go pay dem nuh mind mi nah go hear weh dem a seh
I won't listen to what others say about us.
Donkey ears now sense a mi and yuh deh
Those who didn't understand us before, now they can see how great we are together.
But I don't care I rather have you I'll keep on lovin you
I don't care about anything else, I just want you and I'll keep loving you.
A woman like you is one in a million
You're unique and rare, one of a kind.
Waan yuh inna mi arms twenty four seven
I want to hold you all day, every day.
I would a get jeolous if mi see a next man
I would get jealous if I saw another man near you.
Nah trespass pon mi plantation
I won't let anyone come between us.
Cau mi alone fi have yuh and no other one
I want you for myself, no one else.
Yuh a di greatest woman inna di island
You're the best woman in the whole island.
Greater than ruby greater than pearl
You're more precious than jewels.
Prettiest woman to mi inna di world
You're the most beautiful woman in the world to me.
Big up yuh chest yuh hear mi a girl
Be proud of yourself, you're amazing.
But mi nah leff yuh we a come from far
I won't leave you, we've come too far together.
Writer(s): Steven Marsden, Mark Anthony Myrie
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin Cesar Morris
This is an example of an artiste who has shown great growth and development through out the years with his craft. This is truly phenominal and should be the bench mark for all upcoming reggae artiste all across the globe. He has truly inspired me as an individual and also an artiste over the years.
p247
Agreed. This is one of my favorite reggae albums. And I'm a fan of Marley & Peter Tosh.
Kevin Cesar Morris
@p247 Respect bro. I was trying to convey that message in another forum and one person said that they disagreed with my view. Just a question to you if you don't mind, how many other artiste can you remember during and after Buju's era that was able to greatly dominate both reggae and dancehall platforms in the same manner/level that he did? Please share. I believe that there are very few artiste. I would appreciate and respect your view. Thanks.
p247
@Kevin Cesar Morris The only name I can think of off the top of my head is Alpha Blondy, but I'd say he's from before Buju's day. Also, not really 'dancehall'.
Kevin Cesar Morris
@p247 Just as I thought. Nuff respect
'Tunde Arekemase
@Kevin Cesar Morris No other artist has dominated both Dancehall and Reggae as Buju has over the years, only artist who comes close is Sizzla, and he has not dominated Dancehall as Buju has done.
Cordell Edwards
I love this song it's very deep and soul seeking!!
Kelly Nhamo
Great piece of work
paul iyoha
I got to know this song at my mom's Bar, a customer played the cd in our sound player and I loved it, whenn I returned to class the following day i influenced the whole class with it, but since then I've searched for it on google and YouTube but couldn't find it, (10 years ago) but thank I just typed Buju Banton - I wonder and here I am playing on YouTube for free.
Don Goliath
I learned a lot during my free time in the Corona crisis and stepped up my mixing game. Check out my new 90s Dancehall productions, they all sound wicked!