Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and regg… Read Full Bio ↴Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in a slum near Kingston, Jamaica called Salt Lane. "Buju" is a nickname which is of Breadfruit. The name is ironic in light of Mark Myrie's slim frame and large head, but it is, nevertheless, the nickname his mother gave him as a child. "Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone with a superior attitude and a gift with speech, but it was also the name of a local artist Burro Banton that Buju admired as a child. It was Burro's rough gravelly vocals that Buju emulated and ultimately made his own. Buju's mother was a higgler, or street vendor while his father worked as a labourer at a tile factory. He was one of fifteen children born into a family which was directly descended from the Maroons, a group of escaped slaves who proudly fought off the British colonialists.

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.

Lend A Hand
Buju Banton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Help your brother man
Help your sister

Buju lend an helping hand to your brother
If you see him standing out in the cold
And would you lend an helping hand to your sister
Stop her from falling down in a hole
Would you sell your mother for silver

Or would you sell your father for gold
If someone should make you an offer
And that offer satisfy your soul

Never get caught up between two worlds
Make that decision, the choice is your
The things you do, believe in no one else knows
Man must be free like a river that flows

What into darkness must comes to light
Them two wrong, could never make a right
Like that green grass that you see grow
So small tributarys make great river flow

Lend a hand to the brother
If you see him standing in the cold
You fe lend an helping hand to a sister
Stop her from falling down in a hole
Neva you sell your mother for silver
Neva sell your father for gold
If someone should make you an offer
And that offer satisfy your soul

Man dreams and aspiritions
These days drifting away
Plauged by your constant wants and needs
Friends turn worst enemies
I do not know
What else to say
All I lament and pray,
Is I hope that they see the right way

Lend a hand to the brother
If you see him standing in the cold
You fe lend a hand to the sister
Stop her from falling down in a hole
Neva you sell your mother for silver
Neva sell your father for gold
If someone should make you an offer
And that offer satisfy your soul

Granny used to say, cow na go know the use of 'I'm tail till it's gone,
Sit and deh laughing and jeering them own brethren to scorn
Granny used to say, cow na go know the use of 'I'm tail till it's gone,
Sit and deh laughing and jeering them own brethren

You fi lend an hand to your brother
You fi lend a hand to your sister
A mi say neva sell your mother
A mi say neva sell your father
If someone should make you an offer
And that offer satisfys your soul
And that offer satisfys your soul
And that offer satisfy

Never get caught up between two worlds
Make that decision, the choice is your
The things they do, believe in no one else knows
Man must be free like a river that flows

What into darkness must comes to light
Whoa buju banton lead the people right
Them two wrong, can never make a right
Lord ya know lord ya knoww

Mi say lend an hand to your brother
If you see him standing in the cold
Mi say lend an hand to the sister
Stop her from falling down in a hole
Neva you sell your mother for silver
Neva you sell your father for gold
If someone should make you an offer
Never let it satisfy your soul

I beg them refrain
I talk to them, I call dem
I said own to dem me friend, I said

Granny used to say, cow na go know the use of 'I'm tail till it's gone
Sit and deh laughing and jeering them own brethren to scorn
Granny used to say, cow neva know the use of 'I'm tail till it's gone
Now sit and deh laughing and jeering them own brethren
Lend an hand to the brother
You fe lend a hand to the sister

Me say neva sell your mother
Me say neva sell your father.

Overall Meaning

Buju Banton's song "Lend a Hand" is a call to compassion and action, urging listeners to help their fellow human beings. The lyrics express a desire to see people help their brothers and sisters in need, whether it be by lending a hand to someone in the cold, stopping someone from falling down a hole, or refusing to sell one's own family members for monetary gain. The song reminds people to make choices for themselves and to not get caught up in material desires or negative peer pressure.

The repetition of the phrase "lend a hand" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of being there for others in times of need, and encourages listeners to think about how they can help those around them. The references to Granny's sayings serve as a reminder to be mindful of our actions and to think about the consequences they may have on those around us. The song ends with a refrain urging listeners to "lend a hand to the brother" and "lend a hand to the sister," repeating the message of the song one final time.

Line by Line Meaning

Help your brother man
Buju encourages lending an helping hand to your brother

Help your sister
Buju encourages lending an helping hand to your sister

If you see him standing out in the cold
Help your brother when he's in need, even in difficult situations

Stop her from falling down in a hole
Help your sister when she's in danger, even if it's not physically falling in a hole

Would you sell your mother for silver
Would you betray your mother for money or materialistic things?

Or would you sell your father for gold
Would you betray your father for money or materialistic things?

If someone should make you an offer
If someone presents you with an opportunity or proposal

And that offer satisfy your soul
And that offer satisfies your innermost desires and values

Never get caught up between two worlds
Avoid being indecisive and uncertain while choosing between different options

Make that decision, the choice is your
Do not hesitate to choose and make your own decisions

The things you do, believe in no one else knows
What you do and believe depends solely on you

Man must be free like a river that flows
People should be liberated and free to move and act like a river that flows

What into darkness must comes to light
The truth will always come out eventually

Them two wrong, could never make a right
Two wrongs will never make a right

Like that green grass that you see grow
Just like how small tributaries lead to the growth of green grass, small actions can lead to bigger changes

So small tributarys make great river flow
Small actions can lead to more significant outcomes and change

Man dreams and aspirations
All humans have dreams and aspirations

These days drifting away
These days people are losing sight of their dreams and aspirations

Plagued by your constant wants and needs
People are preoccupied with their needs and desires

Friends turn worst enemies
People have a propensity to turn on their friends

I do not know
Buju is uncertain about a solution to the problem

What else to say
Buju can't think of anything else to say in regards to the problem

All I lament and pray
Buju laments and prays about the problem

Is I hope that they see the right way
Buju hopes that people begin to realize what is right

Granny used to say, cow na go know the use of 'I'm tail till it's gone
Buju recalls his granny's wise saying that the value of something is often not appreciated until it's gone

Sit and deh laughing and jeering them own brethren to scorn
People often ridicule their own family members

You fi lend an hand to your brother
You should lend a hand to your brother

You fi lend an hand to your sister
You should lend a hand to your sister

A mi say neva sell your mother
Buju emphasizes again never to betray your mother or family for materialistic gains

A mi say neva sell your father
Buju emphasizes again never to betray your father or family for materialistic gains

Never let it satisfy your soul
Never let an opportunity or proposal satisfy you to the point of betraying your family or values

Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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