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.
Up Ye Mighty Race
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand up defend your rights
Up up ye mighty raceyou can accomplish what you will
Stand up defend your rights
In a day they destroy what took a tousand to build
Stand up defend your rights
You may conquer our land you never kill the will
Stand up defend your rights
Liberty and democracy are truly expensive can even cost your life
And those who stand for nothing fall for any little thing
Father heal the blinded eye
The immortal advantage they take my peole
The heavens heard the cry
Saviour our calamity is so great
Patiently the humble wait
To attain freedom
Why must there be shedding of blood
Is there mo real love
Are they still holding a grudge
Penal institution to keep us inside
Regulating our progress blocking every forward stride
Let the souls of every living being nationwide
Feel a shifting of the tide
Ah ah ah ah ah
Put it toghether stop being selfish
No more shall we submit
Man champion of course now
Equal rights and justice
Advise for the poor man
Proclaiming through that music
My flesh has been afflicted
The soul they couldn't abuse it
From the hands of cruelity
We have gained solidarity
Rewriting the pages of history
Rewriting the pages yeah
Rewriting the pages yeah
Ah ah ah
Buju Banton's song "Up Ye Mighty Race" is a powerful call to action for marginalized people to stand up and defend their rights. The first verse questions how long must the people continue to be sacrificed, and calls on the "mighty race" to accomplish what they will. The second verse speaks to the high cost of liberty and democracy, and the danger of standing for nothing. The chorus repeats the call to stand up and defend one's rights, acknowledging the many obstacles and injustices faced along the way.
In the third verse, Banton questions why there must be shedding of blood in order to attain freedom, and wonders whether there is any real love left in the world. He speaks to the ways in which penal institutions block progress and regulate the lives of those inside, and calls for a shifting of the tide so that the souls of all living beings can feel it. The bridge suggests that collective action is needed to put an end to selfishness, submission, and cruelty, and to rewrite the pages of history with solidarity and justice.
Overall, "Up Ye Mighty Race" is a rallying cry for all those who have faced discrimination, oppression, and violence. With its powerful, urgent lyrics and upbeat reggae rhythms, the song encourages listeners to take action and fight for their rights, while acknowledging the high costs and many obstacles along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
How long must our people be a human sacrifice
For how many more sacrifices must our community endure?
Stand up defend your rights
Take action and protect your freedoms
Up up ye mighty raceyou can accomplish what you will
Rise up and know that you have the power to achieve anything you set your mind to
In a day they destroy what took a tousand to build
The destruction they cause in a short time can undo the hard work of many
You may conquer our land you never kill the will
They may take our land, but they can never crush our spirit
Liberty and democracy are truly expensive can even cost your life
The price of freedom is steep and can even result in death
And those who stand for nothing fall for any little thing
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything
Father heal the blinded eye
God, please help us see the truth
The immortal advantage they take my peole
Those in power take advantage of the people's vulnerability
The heavens heard the cry
Our pleas have been heard by a higher power
Saviour our calamity is so great
Please save us from this unfortunate situation
Patiently the humble wait
Those who are downtrodden wait patiently for change
To attain freedom
To achieve true liberty
Why must there be shedding of blood
Why must violence and bloodshed be necessary for freedom?
Is there mo real love
Is there a lack of love between people?
Are they still holding a grudge
Are they still bitter and angry about past events?
Penal institution to keep us inside
Prisons are used to keep us under control
Regulating our progress blocking every forward stride
Obstacles are put in our way to slow down our progress
Let the souls of every living being nationwide
May every soul in the country
Feel a shifting of the tide
Sense a change coming
Put it toghether stop being selfish
Work together and stop being self-centered
No more shall we submit
We will no longer comply
Man champion of course now
Men lead the way
Equal rights and justice
Everyone deserves the same rights and fairness
Advise for the poor man
Provide guidance for those less fortunate
Proclaiming through that music
Using music to make our message heard
My flesh has been afflicted
I have suffered physical pain and wounds
The soul they couldn't abuse it
Despite the pain they inflicted on my body, they could not harm my soul
From the hands of cruelity
From the hands of cruelty
We have gained solidarity
We have found unity and support
Rewriting the pages of history
Changing the course of events in history
Ah ah ah
End of song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG PARKES, DONOVAN GERMAIN, MARK MYRIE
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?