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 Dem Bad
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yeah)
Something fresh, something new like just outta di box
Ready, set, go lef' dem inna di blocks
Pay fi learn, Buju di Banton return
Wit a scorcher, everything ah bloodclaat burn
Dem never did deh deh when di battle was hard
We have faith inna weself make it without yuh help
Man ah go beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Never say never when you know you're clever
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Never say never when you know you're clever
Me did endeavor, me nah end nothing
Me come fi all that's mine, and me nuh glutton
Pitney dem haffi eat, me continue hunting
Suppress somebody else, becah me anuh button
Me nah pick no lock (no), me nah squeeze no Glock (no)
Me nuh legal, but me lethal, man anuh no eediat
And if you diss, you ah go get ah proper lashing
Run back to yuh mother, tell her me did ah
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Never say never when you know you're clever
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Never say never when you know you're clever
You've got to do this on your own
(Yo, yo)
Yo, last name Legend, first name Gargamel
middle name manor, me nuh need yuh honor
Dem ah chat gibberish and ah tell me fi humble
Can't take when me step out ah di concrete jungle
Real lion make dem empire crumble
Always rebound every time I stumble
Pressure triple, man ah go fi every drip
Every dime, every nickel, every mickle, every tip cah
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Never say never when you know you're clever
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Nothing feels better than genuine leather
Whether or never, you know you're clever
Mhm
Mhm
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
Beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
In "Love Dem Bad," Buju Banton talks about the struggles he has faced and his determination to succeed on his own terms. He talks about the starting of something new and fresh, and how he left the people who couldn't keep up behind him. Buju is proud of his achievements, but he also acknowledges the people who helped him on his journey. The idea that he had the faith in himself to succeed and didn't need anyone to hold him back. He expressed that his purpose is to keep hunting for success and providing for his family. Buju Banton talks about the struggles he has gone through in the music industry, especially when starting from scratch, and his determination to make it on his own.
The title of the song "Love Dem Bad" suggests that Buju Banton is talking about his critics, competition, or people who have held him back in any way. The song suggests that they will feel the beat, and this beat might be a metaphor for the competition that they will be facing. The use of leather as an element in the chorus represents the strength and toughness that one needs to survive in the industry. The song's lyrics suggest that nothing can beat genuine strength and determination, which come from within oneself.
Overall, the song is a declaration of Buju's power and resilience in the face of opposition. He is determined to succeed and won't let anything hold him back.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got to do this on your own
You have to handle things by yourself
Something fresh, something new like just outta di box
Something brand new and refreshing
Ready, set, go lef' dem inna di blocks
We are all set to leave the competition far behind
Pay fi learn, Buju di Banton return
We are back again and you have to pay attention to learn from us
Wit a scorcher, everything ah bloodclaat burn
We have come up with some fiery music that will set everything on fire
Dem never did deh deh when di battle was hard
They were never there when we were struggling
And now we create a legacy we haffi live on
We have created a reputation that we have to maintain
We have faith inna weself make it without yuh help
We have confidence in ourselves to succeed without your help
Man ah go beat dem bad, dem ah go feel di belt
We are going to beat them badly and make them suffer the consequences
Nothing does it better than genuine leather
Genuine leather is the best material for the job
Never say never when you know you're clever
Do not give up if you know you have the skills to succeed
Me did endeavor, me nah end nothing
I have made an effort and will not give up
Me come fi all that's mine, and me nuh glutton
I want what is rightfully mine, but I am not greedy
Pitney dem haffi eat, me continue hunting
I have to provide for my children and continue to work hard
Suppress somebody else, becah me anuh button
I do not oppress anyone because I am not a coward
Real lion make dem empire crumble
A powerful person can bring down an entire empire
Always rebound every time I stumble
I always bounce back from setbacks and failures
Pressure triple, man ah go fi every drip
Despite the difficult circumstances, I will go for everything I can get
Every dime, every nickel, every mickle, every tip cah
Every single penny counts
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mark Anthony Myrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sserunjogiahmed7974
It is still my best hit upto now. He inspired many artists in the world. Big up to bujju and red rat. Respect in all aspect.
@laurentcoeurton3675
Que des bon souvenir❤
@gsmontague9988
2023🔥🔥🔥💪
@jaycod4070
This was a classic. The contrasts between their voices.
@mthokoification
King Banton 🫡still sounding dope in 2023
@DrGreenthumb1938
Can't listen to this without reloading at least 4 times👀🎶 Always be a BIG tune!!!!
@Zzzzz_Zzzzzz______
Buju Banton is awesome. This, and Champion are my favourites lol.
@dimebomb
Reminds me of Chuck D and Flavor Flav lol!
@fionaboodram6859
It’s da wickedest best. Takes me right back to GT🔥🔥🔥
@gracesegirinya8052
Buju had the core.But even red ratwas alone in that style.