Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and regg… Read Full Bio ↴Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in a slum near Kingston, Jamaica called Salt Lane. "Buju" is a nickname which is of Breadfruit. The name is ironic in light of Mark Myrie's slim frame and large head, but it is, nevertheless, the nickname his mother gave him as a child. "Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone with a superior attitude and a gift with speech, but it was also the name of a local artist Burro Banton that Buju admired as a child. It was Burro's rough gravelly vocals that Buju emulated and ultimately made his own. Buju's mother was a higgler, or street vendor while his father worked as a labourer at a tile factory. He was one of fifteen children born into a family which was directly descended from the Maroons, a group of escaped slaves who proudly fought off the British colonialists.

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.

Single Parent
Buju Banton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life is ain't easy

Playing the role of mom and dad

Woman I thank you, thank you oh Mama Mama
I never know no father yet you provide my dinner
And I love you, oh Mama
When you cry I cry too
Why do you look so dull and forsaken
I know that he's gone and your heart is broken
But we are still together
Mama never leave us alone at home, no

I wonder, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent to learn it ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

I wonder, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent to learn it ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Won't turn my back and you can count on that
If I should go I shall be coming right back
That motherly love gently tucking me in the sack
Bedtime kisses and hugs I feel as if I'm taking back
How sweet you are let me number you ways
I asked the Father guide you for the rest of your days

I wonder, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Anyhow it gone bad already can't stop him now
We've got to survive some way some how
Nuh fret and mawga down better must come
From the Lord ordain thy will must be done
Nuh expose yuh linen dirt ever deh pon di ground
Nuh make di world know bout yu
Yu character pipe will bung
Go on Buju the Banton with words of wisdom
Woman hold your head up don't hold it down

I wonder, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad

Once more thank you, thank you oh Mama Mama
I never know no father yet you provide my dinner
And I love you, oh Mama
When you cry I cry too
Why do you look so dull and forsaken
I know that he's gone and your heart is broken
But we are still together
Mama never leave us alone at home, no

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Working so hard just to get paid
As a single parent life ain't easy
Playing the role of mom and dad
As a single parent life ain't easy

Playing the role of mom and dad
As a single parent...

Overall Meaning

In Buju Banton's song "Single Parent," the artist pays tribute to the struggles and sacrifices of single mothers. He marvels at how these women are able to make it through each day, despite the many obstacles they face. Banton recognizes that as a single parent, life is not easy, as one must play the roles of both mom and dad. He acknowledges that his own mother provided for him without the help of a father figure and expresses his gratitude and love for her.

The lyrics also speak to the emotional toll that single parenthood can take. Banton notices that his mother looks "dull and forsaken" and understands that her heart is broken since she is raising him alone. Despite this, Banton and his mother remain together, and he promises to always come back if he leaves. He also encourages single mothers to hold their heads up and not give up, acknowledging that better things will come.

The song is a powerful tribute to the strength and resilience of single mothers everywhere. It acknowledges the difficulties they face and the sacrifices they make. Banton's lyrics express gratitude and love for these hardworking women and encourage them to keep going, even when times are tough.

Line by Line Meaning

Consider, how she make it to the end of the day
Reflect on how this single parent manages to get through the day.

Working so hard just to get paid
This single parent works extremely hard to provide for their family.

As a single parent life ain't easy
Being a single parent is a difficult and challenging task.

Playing the role of mom and dad
This single parent must take on both the traditional roles of mother and father.

Woman I thank you, thank you oh Mama Mama
The artist expresses gratitude towards his mother who raised him alone.

I never know no father yet you provide my dinner
Despite not having a father figure in his life, his mother provided for him.

And I love you, oh Mama
The artist loves and appreciates his mother.

When you cry I cry too
The artist empathizes with his mother's emotions.

Why do you look so dull and forsaken
The artist questions why his mother appears down and hopeless.

I know that he's gone and your heart is broken
The artist acknowledges the impact of the absent father figure on his mother.

But we are still together
The artist and his mother are still a family, even though his father is absent.

Mama never leave us alone at home, no
The artist expresses his need for his mother's presence and protection.

Won't turn my back and you can count on that
The artist promises to always support his mother.

If I should go I shall be coming right back
The artist promises to return to his mother if he should ever have to leave.

That motherly love gently tucking me in the sack
The artist reflects on his mother's loving actions, such as tucking him into bed.

Bedtime kisses and hugs I feel as if I'm taking back
The artist recalls the affection his mother showed him.

How sweet you are let me number you ways
The artist admires his mother's affectionate nature.

I asked the Father guide you for the rest of your days
The artist expresses his desire for God to bless and guide his mother's life.

Anyhow it gone bad already can't stop him now
Despite the circumstances, the artist recognizes that he cannot change the past.

We've got to survive some way some how
The artist acknowledges the importance of survival.

Nuh fret and mawga down better must come
The artist encourages his mother not to worry, as things will get better.

From the Lord ordain thy will must be done
The artist trusts in God's plan for their lives.

Nuh expose yuh linen dirt ever deh pon di ground
The artist advises his mother not to share her personal problems with others.

Nuh make di world know bout yu
The artist suggests that his mother keep her struggles private.

Yu character pipe will bung
The artist warns that one's reputation can be damaged by exposing their problems to the world.

Go on Buju the Banton with words of wisdom
The artist encourages himself to continue spreading words of wisdom and encouragement.

Woman hold your head up don't hold it down
The artist encourages his mother to keep her head held high.

As a single parent life ain't easy
Being a single parent is a challenging task.

Playing the role of mom and dad
This single parent must take on both the traditional roles of mother and father.

Once more thank you, thank you oh Mama Mama
The artist expresses gratitude towards his mother for the second time.