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.
Redder Than Red
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buju Banton with the lyrical echo
Right now I am red, red, red, red
Redder than red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
A rub-a-dub sensation
Just a go to mi head
I am red, red, red, red
Right now I am red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
I cannot keep it under cover, I cannot keep it under the shed
Got to show it inna touch this how I make my bread
Dem say this is easy, dat done than said
Considering all, it is really another bread
Must have fi juggle whether rain or fall
Pot have fi bubble, can't tek when pickney bawl
Nuh motherless nuh fatherless but no white squall
Never had a ball to play with nor a cookie in the jar
My little sister baby dolly mek outta tar
Nuf wash dem mouth but them nah reach far
Say a prayer for me
I am red, red, red, red, red
Red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
Right now I am red, red, red
Redder than red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
Take off mi shirt, wring it up, water too much
DJ a DJ and nuh haul and pull up
Wuk and stop wuk and stop the vibe cut
Have a fire inna me wire, can't quench with syrup
A nuh S da to K, while minus to plus
So much things to deal, the poorer race a fuss
Is it all about making money or is it conscious
Lightning, thunder, brimstone ball buss
Red, red, red, red
Redder than red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
I am red, red, red, red
Redder than red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
I want you to love my music
I really want you to feel my music
Intense heat and humidity so high
Dance all night until you're whole body runs dry
Who make you feel good so, I and I
And make you nuh want let go, that's no lie
Red, red, red, red
Right now I am red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
A rub-a-dub sensation
Just a go to mi head
I am red, red, red, red
Right now I am red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
I cannot keep it under cover, I cannot keep it under the shed
Got to show it inna touch this how I make my bread
Dem say this is easy, dat done than said
Considering all, it is really another bread
Must have fi juggle whether rain or fall
Pot have fi bubble, can't tek when pickney bawl
Nuh motherless nuh fatherless but no white squall
Never had a ball to play with nor a cookie in the jar
My little sister baby dolly mek outta tar
Nuf wash dem mouth but them nah reach far
Say a prayer for me
I am red, red, red, red
Redder than red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
I am red, red, red, red
Right now I am red, red, red
It just a musical vibe
Just a rub-a-dub feeling
Just a go to mi head
Mi take off mi shirt, wring it up, water too much
DJ a DJ and nuh haul and pull up
Wuk and stop wuk and stop the vibe cut
Have a fire inna me wire, can't quench with syrup
A nuh S da to K, while minus to plus
So much things to deal, the poorer race a fuss
Is it all about making money or is it conscious
Lightning, thunder, brimstone ball buss
Buju Banton's song "Redder Than Red" is a passionate expression of his musical artistry and his determination to succeed despite the challenges of life. The first stanza sets the tone of the song with Buju Banton acknowledging the power of music to make him feel alive and energized. He repeats the phrase "red, red, red" to emphasize his fiery enthusiasm and to create a rhythmic quality that is infectious.
The second and third stanzas are more introspective, as Buju Banton reflects on his struggles as a Jamaican artist and the challenges of making a living in a highly competitive industry. He talks about his need to show the world his talent and to earn a living from his art, but he also acknowledges the difficulties of making it in a world that is often unforgiving to those who are born into poverty or have limited resources.
The song is also an indictment of the social and economic injustices that exist in Jamaica and around the world. Buju Banton talks about the struggles of the "poorer race" and questions whether success is just about making money or if it's important to create socially conscious music that speaks truth to power. He ends the song with a powerful call to action, urging his listeners to love and feel his music and to keep dancing until they are "dry."
Overall, "Redder Than Red" is a powerful and uplifting song that showcases Buju Banton's lyrical genius and his commitment to making meaningful and impactful music.
Line by Line Meaning
You got to feel it inna unu
Buju Banton wants his listeners to not just hear the music but also feel it within themselves
Right now I am red, red, red, red
Buju Banton is currently feeling a strong sense of energy and passion
Redder than red, red, red
Buju Banton's energy and passion has reached an even higher level
It just a musical vibe
The high level of energy and passion is rooted in the music being played
A rub-a-dub sensation
The music is so powerful and energetic that it is causing a sensation within Buju Banton
Just a go to mi head
The music is having a strong impact on Buju Banton's mind and emotions
I cannot keep it under cover, I cannot keep it under the shed
Buju Banton cannot contain and hide his passion and energy
Got to show it inna touch this how I make my bread
For Buju Banton, showing his passion and energy in music is how he makes a living
Dem say this is easy, dat done than said
Some people may think making music is easy, but it's not as simple as it may seem
Considering all, it is really another bread
Success in music requires hard work, talent, and dedication, just like any other profession
Must have fi juggle whether rain or fall
Buju Banton must persevere through difficult times like rain or falling obstacles
Pot have fi bubble, can't tek when pickney bawl
Buju Banton needs to keep his career and finances stable even when others are complaining or crying
Nuh motherless nuh fatherless but no white squall
Buju Banton has a family, but he still faces the struggles and hardships of life
Never had a ball to play with nor a cookie in the jar
Buju Banton did not have a privileged childhood and faced financial hardships
My little sister baby dolly mek outta tar
Due to poverty, Buju Banton's sister only had tar to create a doll
Nuf wash dem mouth but them nah reach far
People may speak highly of Buju Banton, but their praise does not translate into actual support
Say a prayer for me
Buju Banton is asking for his fans to pray for his well-being and success
Take off mi shirt, wring it up, water too much
Buju Banton is getting into the music so much that he is sweating profusely and needs to take off his shirt
DJ a DJ and nuh haul and pull up
The DJ is playing the music perfectly without any interruptions or stopping
Wuk and stop wuk and stop the vibe cut
The sudden stopping and starting of the music interrupts the natural flow and energy of the moment
Have a fire inna me wire, can't quench with syrup
Buju Banton is so passionate and energetic that it cannot be slowed down or stopped
A nuh S da to K, while minus to plus
Things may change from positive to negative or vice versa, but Buju Banton remains true to himself
So much things to deal, the poorer race a fuss
People in poverty face many challenges and struggles, causing them to worry and complain
Is it all about making money or is it conscious
The music industry is often focused on profit, but Buju Banton questions if it is more important to be socially and ethically conscious
Lightning, thunder, brimstone ball buss
The energy and passion of the music is so intense that it feels like a natural disaster is happening
I want you to love my music
Buju Banton desires for his music to be appreciated and enjoyed by his fans
I really want you to feel my music
Buju Banton deeply wishes for his fans to experience and connect with the emotions and energy in his music
Intense heat and humidity so high
The atmosphere created by the music is so intense that it feels hot and suffocating
Dance all night until you're whole body runs dry
The music inspires Buju Banton's fans to dance and move their bodies until they are completely exhausted
Who make you feel good so, I and I
Buju Banton takes pride in knowing that his music brings joy and happiness to his fans
And make you nuh want let go, that's no lie
The energy and passion in the music is so strong that it feels impossible to let go and stop dancing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONOVAN GERMAIN, MARK ANTHONY MYRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johanneschisasa3129
My ringtone for over 9 years. Just love it
@MonCherry13
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS EVERRRRRR
@coreysmith551
Is this a riddim 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@massoua30
we danced like crazy to this song , anytime i hear it i still wanna stand up
@LucaBrasi7548
Comdi kool b dan moris," good vibes bane Buju banton "...2022 still going..legend
@birdplot
I LOVE BUJU BANTON FOREVER, THE REALEST DJ IN OUR WORLD!!! AMERICA GO BUJU!!
@reddbluezz
Loveeeeeeee this song! Miss you Buju, one of my favourite artistes.
@jacquelinelambert6458
Yup
@lifeisadream3068
@Jacqueline Lambert p ppl
@streetcat3179
Much love from suriname