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.

Life
Buju Banton Lyrics

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Choice
What do you choose?
You know what I choose
Weh mi spliff deh? Don't mek it bruise

High life
Good weed all day, all night
Right vibes

Simmer mi nerve, make me, Lawd
I say high life
Good weed all day, all night
Right vibes, woii
Simmer mi nerves a smoke a come through mi eyes

Come fresh from di farm, no preserve, nothing added
Burn it inna your nostrils, you feel it inna yuh forehead
Thc and di General married
Here to heal di nation, foundation solid
One collie bud inna di morning just won't do, no sah
Me say blunt or paper, make we roll up a few
A weh dem a go do fi stop di ganja man crew?
One puff from di smoke and Babylon nuh see a who
On di beach of Malibu sitting in di night drew
Looking at my life and look at what I've been through
Marijuana, me nuh think nobody love you, love you like I do

High life (high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)
Right vibes (right vibes)
Simmer mi nerve, make me, Lawd (yeah, Lawd)
I say high life (high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)
Right vibes, woii (right vibes, top selectah numba one)
Simmer mi nerves a smoke a come through mi eyes (Snoop Lion)

Good weed up in my blunt, pass di chronic up front
Herb by the pound, pay the cutter every month
Meditation is di highest, pass mi chalice
Real ganja baby inside Buckingham Palace
New York to West Coast love that shit green
Ganja man dem pull up on di Babylon scream
From herbs' aroma, atmosphere so clean
I don't want to wake up if this is living a dream
Nickels and dimes, no hard times, you never know until you try
Say goodbye to the bad guy
Had I not known
Have blown homegrown rocking rolling stone
Oh, Mary Jane, could you please take me home?

High life (high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)
Right vibes (right vibes)
Simmer mi nerve, make me, Lawd
I say high life (high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)
Right vibes, woii (right vibes)
Simmer mi nerves a smoke a come through mi eyes

Herb is now an household, dem say it commercialize
Still my homie up top doing twenty for life
Still marginalize though dem say legalize
Herb make we meditate, invite di life
Inna L.A. All day, burn it all night
Jamaican marijuana is di people's choice
Snoop Dogg what you say? Tell dem what you like, yeah, yeah

California Kush straight off di bush never leave me alone
You ever smoke weed that touch your brain and touch your bone?
Put you in a zone while you chilling all alone
With your girl on di phone listening to Nina Simone
Yeah, and now I'm gone

High life (high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)
Right vibes (right vibes)
Simmer mi nerve, make me, Lawd (yeah)
I say high life (high life, high life)
Good weed all day, all night (night)

Right vibes, woii (right vibes)
Simmer mi nerves a smoke a come through mi eyes

Overall Meaning

The opening lines to Buju Banton's "Friends for Life" set the tone for the rest of the song's commitment to unwavering friendship, "Now if you fall answer your call. Through rain or storm I'll keep you warm. Really a friend now until the end now. Never let you down, down down." The lyrics are a nod to the importance of loyalty and being there for someone in their time of need, no matter the circumstances. The following lines go on to speak of the depth of their friendship, "Words can't express for you the vibes is excellent. I will be by your side to conquer all elements. Friends for life with or without a cent. Genuinely honest with a free conscience like Moony and cheeks straight up to ma' peeps." Here, Buju emphasizes the value of honesty and being genuine in a friendship, with money and material possessions having no bearing on the bond.

The song speaks to the rarity of finding true friends, especially in a world that can be hasty and self-serving. Buju notes, "Real true friend so hard to come by. Some won't be ever satisfied and for monetary gain, they lie." He likens the world to a jungle and a predator hunting for meat; and true friendship as a beacon of strength and safety in those tumultuous streets, "Stepping through these jungle in the streets. Got to be careful predator hunting meat. I'll be a strong tower all fear must cease." In closing, Buju invites the listener to join him in celebrating the beauty of friendship and all that it entails, "Listen Buju Banton war is the least strive and envy that cannot try to be friendly. Listen Buju di' Banton on rhythm timely. Hope you all can join me."

Line by Line Meaning

Now if you fall answer your call.
If you need me, I will be there for you.

Through rain or storm I'll keep you warm.
I will support you through tough times.

Really a friend now until the end now.
I am a true friend who will always be there for you.

Never let you down, down down.
I will never disappoint you.

Words can't express for you the vibes is excellent.
There are no words to describe how great our connection is.

I will be by your side to conquer all elements.
I will support you through any obstacles you face.

Friends for life with or without a cent.
Our friendship is not based on money.

Genuinely honest with a free conscience like Moony and cheeks straight up to ma' peeps.
I am always honest with my friends and have a clear conscience.

Hommie in the streets honk your horn up in a your jeeps.
My friends in the streets should acknowledge me when they see me.

Good looking out last week it's so hard to find genuine friends like these.
Thank you for being a genuine friend, they are hard to come by.

To trust and depend on rough and tough times.
I can be trusted to support you through tough times.

See you moving up the ladder help you to climb.
I will support you in your journey to success.

Brighten up ma world just like the sunshine caring compassionate kind.
My friends bring light and positivity to my life.

Put my life up on the line I will do the time.
I am willing to make sacrifices for my friends.

Real true friend so hart to come by.
True friends are hard to find.

Some won't be ever satisfied and for monetary gain they lie.
Some people are never content and will betray their friends for money.

Stepping through these jungle in the streets.
Navigating the streets can be dangerous.

Got to be careful predator hunting meat.
We must be cautious of those who seek to harm us.

I'll be a strong tower all fear must cease.
I will be a source of strength for my friends and they need not fear anything.

Listen Buju Banton war is the least strive and envy that cannot try to be friendly.
Buju Banton encourages peaceful relations and discourages envy and strife.

Listen Buju di' Banton on rthythm timely Hope you all can join me.
Join me in spreading Buju Banton's message of peace and friendship.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Calvin Broadus, Jermaine Reid, Mark Myrie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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