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.
Psalms 23
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To praise the most high Jah everyday
With your whole heart desire
Lift him higher, lift him higher
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, yeah
Holy Mount Zion I
Buju, let's sing it...
Todoo doo doo doo do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do
The Lord's my shepherd,
I'll not want
He make me down to lie
In pastures green Jah leadeth me
The quiet waters by
My soul thou hath restored again
And me to walk dost make
Within the path of righteousness
Even for his name's sake
Yeah, though I walk in death's dark vale
Yet will I fear no ill
Thy rod and staff, they are with me
They surely comfort still
Ooh, my table thou hast furnished
In the presence of my foes
My head thou hath anoint with oil
My cup it overflow
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me (follow me)
And in Jah's house for Iver more
My dwelling place must be
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me
And in Jah house for Iver more
My dwelling place shall be
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do
Holy, holy, holy
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me
And in Jah's house for Iver more
My dwelling place must be
My soul thou hath restored again
And me to walk dost make
Within the path of righteousness
Even for his name's sake
Yeah, though I walk through death's dark vale
Yet will I fear no ill
Thou are with me, thy rod and thy staff
They surely comfort still
My table thou hath furnished
In the presence of my foes
My head thou hath anoint with oil
My cup it overflow
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo do
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo do
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Hmmmm...
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo do
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Hmmmm...
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Holy, holy, holy, holy
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Todoo doo doo doo do
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
Most high Jah
Todoo doo doo doo doo doo
The lyrics of "Psalms 23" by Buju Banton featuring Gramps of Morgan Heritage is a song of praise and worship to God. The opening lyrics "It’s so good to praise the most high Jah every day with your whole heart’s desire" speaks to the importance of always praising and worshiping God. The song then moves on to referencing Psalm 23 in the Bible, which is a very important scripture passage to many Christians. There is reference to the image of God as a shepherd who provides and leads us in paths of righteousness. The song reflects on the assurance that even in the shadow of death, there is no reason to fear because God is with us. It conveys the message that God provides for us always and that as believers, we will dwell in God’s house forever.
The song is a beautiful reminder of how central faith and a relationship with God is in the lives of many people. The lyrics, combined with the beautiful melody and harmony, create an atmosphere of praise and worship.
To summarize, "Psalms 23" is a song that praises God, referencing the Bible's passage of Psalm 23. It speaks to the assurance of God's provision and protection for those who trust in him.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so good
It feels amazing
To praise the most high Jah everyday
To worship and lift up the name of the Lord every single day
With your whole heart desire
With your entire being and with great passion
Lift him higher, lift him higher
Exalt and honor him even more
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, yeah
He is pure, perfect, and righteous beyond measure
Holy Mount Zion I
His dwelling place is holy and sacred
The Lord's my shepherd,
God is my protector and provider
I'll not want
I will not lack anything that I need
He make me down to lie
He gives me rest and peace
In pastures green Jah leadeth me
He guides me to a place of abundance and prosperity
The quiet waters by
He leads me to a place of calm and stillness
My soul thou hath restored again
He gives me new life and strength
And me to walk dost make
He helps me to live a life of purpose and meaning
Within the path of righteousness
He leads me to a life of goodness and morality
Even for his name's sake
For the sake of his reputation and glory
Yeah, though I walk in death's dark vale
Even when I am in the midst of difficult and dark times
Yet will I fear no ill
I will not be afraid because God is with me
Thy rod and staff, they are with me
His guidance and protection are always present
They surely comfort still
They bring me peace and reassurance
Ooh, my table thou hast furnished
He blesses me with abundance and provision
In the presence of my foes
Even when I am surrounded by challenges and enemies
My head thou hath anoint with oil
He honors me and gives me a position of authority
My cup it overflow
He blesses me to the point of overflowing
Goodness and mercy all my life
He showers me with kindness and love every day
Shall surely follow me (follow me)
His favor and blessings will continue to be with me
And in Jah's house for Iver more
I will dwell in his presence forever
My dwelling place must be
My home will always be with him
Most high Jah
The Lord God Almighty
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK ANTHONY MYRIE, ROY MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuran Ricardo
on Fake Smile
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If there’s a choking problem she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb. second verse:
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If you have a choking problems she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb
Kern Rodney
on Fake Smile
If there's ah joke in progress share it with everyone, why acting dumb?