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.
Love Black Woman
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah me man
Who?
Buju Banton, di same yout wah do di brownin song man
Hear wah wi tell dem seh, cause wi love dem cyant dun, from shoe tongue to grun
Hear mi now
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
Black is beauty uno colla is one inna million
Have it from birth ah natural sun tan
Smooth lika grape nuh true uno use uno lotion
Teki teki tek care ah uno complexion
Wah dem ah do? wah dem try? wah di whola dem an plan?
Don't get mi wrong bcaw mi love Black woman
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
Some ah uno, ah weh uno get it?
Ah weh uno buy it from?
True some lite skin dem want fi buy tan, woman nuh baddah worry uno intension
wedah uno black or brown uno ah Buju right han
Go an spead it across di nation seh uno have di backitive of Buju Banton
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
I am black, I am proud, folla Buju Banton an shout it out loud
Black will always stand out inna crowd
wi like di silva lining behin a dark cloud
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
The lyrics of Buju Banton's song "Love Black Woman" celebrate black women and praise their beauty, strength, and resilience. The first verse establishes the central message, with Buju referring to himself as someone who loves black women, and who cannot get enough of them regardless of their skin tone or complexion. The chorus emphasizes this point, with Buju stating that he will always cry for black women, and that he will never stop showing them love and admiration. He also encourages other men to do the same, and to celebrate black women as a source of pride and empowerment.
The second verse builds on this message, with Buju describing the unique beauty of black skin, which he calls "one inna million". He notes that black people are born with a natural sun tan, and that their skin is naturally smooth and lovely without the need for lotions or other cosmetic aids. He also criticizes those who try to diminish or disparage dark-skinned women, and who do not appreciate their unique beauty and qualities. The final bridge reinforces the central point, with Buju declaring his pride in being black and his appreciation for the "silva lining behin a dark cloud".
Overall, "Love Black Woman" is a powerful and celebratory song that exalts black women, their beauty, and their importance in society. It encourages men and women of all backgrounds to recognize and honor black women, and to embrace their distinctiveness as a source of pride and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah who dat?
Who is that?
Ah me man
It's me, Buju Banton.
Who?
Who are you asking about?
Buju Banton, di same yout wah do di brownin song man
I'm Buju Banton, the same person who sang the song about light-skinned women.
Hear wah wi tell dem seh, cause wi love dem cyant dun, from shoe tongue to grun
Listen to what we're saying, because we love black women endlessly, from head to toe.
Hear mi now
Listen to me carefully.
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
We never stop praising and loving black women.
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Respect to all the girls with dark skin.
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Because we never stop loving black women.
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
There are many things happening regarding your skin color.
Black is beauty uno colla is one inna million
Black is beautiful and your color is unique.
Have it from birth ah natural sun tan
You were born with a naturally beautiful complexion.
Smooth lika grape nuh true uno use uno lotion
Your skin is naturally smooth and doesn't need lotion to be beautiful.
Teki teki tek care ah uno complexion
Take care of your skin.
Wah dem ah do? wah dem try? wah di whola dem an plan?
What are they doing? What are they trying to do? What are their plans?
Don't get mi wrong bcaw mi love Black woman
Don't misunderstand me, because I love black women.
Some ah uno, ah weh uno get it?
Where did some of you get your complexion from?
Ah weh uno buy it from?
Did you buy your complexion?
True some lite skin dem want fi buy tan, woman nuh baddah worry uno intension
Some light-skinned people want to look tan, but women don't need to worry about their intentions.
wedah uno black or brown uno ah Buju right han
Whether you're black or brown, you have Buju's support.
Go an spead it across di nation seh uno have di backitive of Buju Banton
Spread the word across the nation that you have Buju Banton's support.
I am black, I am proud, folla Buju Banton an shout it out loud
I am black and proud, follow Buju Banton's lead and shout it out loud.
Black will always stand out inna crowd
Black people will always stand out in a crowd.
wi like di silva lining behin a dark cloud
We like the silver lining behind a dark cloud.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@inprogress4685
Lyrics:
Ah who dat?
Ah me man
Who?
Buju Banton, di same yout wah do di brownin song man
Hear wah wi tell dem seh, cause wi love dem cyant dun, from shoe tongue to grun
Hear mi now
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
Black is beauty uno colla is one inna million
Have it from birth ah natural sun tan
Smooth lika grape nuh true uno use uno lotion
Teki teki tek care ah uno complexion
Wah dem ah do? wah dem try? wah di whola dem an plan?
Don't get mi wrong bcaw mi love Black woman
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
Some ah uno, ah weh uno get it?
Ah weh uno buy it from?
True some lite skin dem want fi buy tan, woman nuh baddah worry uno intension
wedah uno black or brown uno ah Buju right han
Go an spead it across di nation seh uno have di backitive of Buju Banton
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
I am black, I am proud, folla Buju Banton an shout it out loud
Black will always stand out inna crowd
wi like di silva lining behin a dark cloud
Wi nuh stop cry fi all Black woman
Big up all de girls dem wid dark complexion
Cause wi nuh stop cry fi all black woman
Nuff tings ah gwan fi uno complexion
@lovethwillock8952
The bleaching community of Jamaica needs to hear this.
@taniatroutmandaley3338
facts
@Nectarine333
So true
@alisamartin6099
Bleachers can you bleach a dark 🖤. Red don't mean better. To bad the world learn that the hard way
@tammiehiggs9014
They have a bleaching community really? How sad is that!
Gotta love the skin the universe gave you for sure!
@kendrakissez
Big facts because its ridiculous
@lwiindilubinda5810
Nuff Respect to All di women with natural black complexion.Big up.!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏
@delorisburgard3420
💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
@kadir6822
🖤
@kadianjohnson9831
Who's still listening to this song in......2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣🇯🇲🇯🇲🇦🇬🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💛💛💛💛