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.
Sudan
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We be on to the United Nations
There are nothing but a front
Claim they've been observing so long
Many moons and months
Why you never see de suffering nation
Tell I, tell I
Hail Sudan, going through our struggle
Like how you help those who fight that that armed struggle
Hail Sudan, not for personal benefit
Oh help Sudan, even thou she's not rich
wow wow wo yo Sudan - Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Sudan x4
Give har likkle peace
Prosperity gradually come
An end to war
They have put down their guns
Children die for cost
They know not about
And this is not word a mouth
Oh Sudan, we see your plight
Ooh, Buju know, Buju know...
The song "Sudan" by Buju Banton is an anthem for the people of Sudan who are suffering from poverty and war. The lyrics describe the struggles faced by the people of Sudan and their need for help. The United Nations is called out for not doing enough to alleviate the suffering of the people. Buju Banton questions why the suffering of the nation is not being noticed and who will help the people in starvation. He hails Sudan for the struggles it is going through and how it is fighting against armed struggle. The song encourages people to help Sudan, even though it may not be rich, because it is the right thing to do.
Line by Line Meaning
wow wow wo yo Sudan
Repeating Sudan to express admiration and support towards Sudan.
We be on to the United Nations
We are aware of the United Nations' involvement in our country.
There are nothing but a front
They are only pretending to help and not actually providing real assistance.
Claim they've been observing so long
Claiming to have been observing the situation in Sudan for a long time but have not taken any real actions.
Many moons and months
For a very long time, possibly years or decades.
Why you never see de suffering nation
Asking why the United Nations isn't doing anything to help the suffering nation.
Tell I, tell I
Asking for an explanation or answer.
Who will help our people in starvation
Asking who will provide aid to the starving people in Sudan.
Hail Sudan, going through our struggle
Acknowledging that Sudan is going through a difficult time.
Like how you help those who fight that that armed struggle
Comparing the struggle of Sudan to that of other countries who have received aid from the United Nations for their armed struggle.
Hail Sudan, not for personal benefit
Supporting Sudan without expecting any personal gain.
Oh help Sudan, even thou she's not rich
Asking for help for Sudan even though the country is not wealthy.
Give har likkle peace
Asking for peace in Sudan.
Prosperity gradually come
Hoping for gradual economic improvement in Sudan.
An end to war
Desiring an end to violence and conflict in Sudan.
They have put down their guns
They have stopped fighting each other.
Children die for cost
Innocent children are dying due to a lack of resources and conflict.
They know not about
The children do not know why they are dying.
And this is not word a mouth
This is not hearsay or a rumor, but a reality.
Oh Sudan, we see your plight
Acknowledging and sympathizing with the struggles of Sudan.
Ooh, Buju know, Buju know...
Expressing personal understanding and concern for the situation in Sudan.
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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?