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.
Sense Of Purpose
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They using you to play their kinky games
And when they're done, they turn their backs on you
Sayin' you're washed up, sad and blue
But now you finally reached the top
That's when you think the dogging stops
They can't find one thing to say
You know why 'cause I love you
Oh, we yes and I just can't stop
And I need you
All the way to the top
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
You hanging out with bad company
So much envy and jealousy
On the streets they sayin' this and that
Every day they just chit and chat
And even when they see us too
They wonder why I got you, I know why
'Cause I love you
Oh, we yest and I just can't stop
And I need you, all the way
To the top
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
The lyrics of Buju Banton's "Sense of Purpose" reflects the struggle of someone who has been judged and condemned by society for their past mistakes, but with the power of love and determination, they are able to rise above the negative opinions of others and achieve their goals. The song speaks to the universal human experience of being misunderstood and unfairly judged, but the enduring power of love ultimately prevails. The singer of the song has been through a lot of difficulties and is familiar with being belittled and shunned but their determination and sense of purpose help them to rise against all the odds.
The lyrics of the song also touch upon themes of envy, jealousy, and gossip that is prevalent in society. The singer acknowledges that there are people around who talk ill of the singer, but their love and sense of purpose are unyielding. The song speaks to the importance of keeping faith in oneself and not getting bogged down by the negative opinions of others. Buju Banton's delivery of the song is emotive, and the lyrics hit home with anyone who has ever been judged or condemned unfairly.
Line by Line Meaning
People call you so much, dirty names
You have been called a lot of derogatory names by people who just use you for their own pleasure.
They using you to play their kinky games
They are using you for their own twisted games or desires.
And when they're done, they turn their backs on you
Sayin' you're washed up, sad and blue
Once they are done using you, they abandon you and say that you are no longer useful or worth their time.
But now you finally reached the top
That's when you think the dogging stops
Now that you have reached a high level of success, you probably believe that people will stop criticizing you and doubting your abilities.
They can't find one thing to say
They got to eat their words, day by day
Since you have achieved great success, they cannot afford to criticize or doubt you anymore, and instead they must admit they were wrong.
You know why 'cause I love you
Oh, we yes and I just can't stop
And I need you
All the way to the top
The reason why you have been able to rise above negativity is because you have someone in your life who loves and supports you unconditionally, and will continue to do so as you succeed even further.
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
Love you with a sense of purpose
Such a sense of purpose
This repeated chorus emphasizes that the unconditional love and support is given with a specific goal in mind, to help you achieve everything you are capable of and reach the top.
You hanging out with bad company
So much envy and jealousy
On the streets they sayin' this and that
Every day they just chit and chat
Despite your success, there are still people who speak poorly of you and your associates because they are envious and jealous of your accomplishments.
And even when they see us too
They wonder why I got you, I know why
Even when they see you and your supportive partner together, they still wonder why someone successful would choose to be with someone who was once doubted or criticized. However, the partner knows the reason why they are together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK ANTHONY MYRIE, MICHAEL COOPER, RICHARD DALEY, STEPHEN COORE, WILLIE STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DonGoliath
I have new productions ready ft. Anthony B, Fantan Mojah, Pinchers, Luciano and Busy Signal. They are live in my chan now!
@cassiyabutler4049
Buju free. Much love.
@welshiegal1
love this man ♡♡♡
@keenonmark1775
I will forever rewind bujus verse yes i
@welshiegal1
Still lovingggggg💖💖💖💃💃💃💃
@Chivs1000
luv this one..
@msliddy9744
Love Buju!
@cryptosps
i luv it
@dannydarnley-carberry3636
♡
@naturewoman28
Groovy!