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.
Waistline
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gal wild, inna special half inna special pride, girl child be wise
[Verse 1:]
Woman I got somethin on my miiiind
Somethin spectacular fi mek yuh feel fiiiine
Treat yuh so much yuh call yuh friends same time and a
Wheel it again she a go tell mi rewind and a
Inna yuh treasure dung inna yuh goldmiiiine
Haste this waste dat a waste of time and a
Nuh body charge Buju Banton fi nuh crime
[Chorus:]
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
[Verse 2:]
Gal yuh man love yuh bad and yuh caan suede time
Cop up wid yuh lova when it touch night time
Nuff gal a playa hate yuh but everyting fine
Nuh cash orda yuh clothes deh pon line
Fi di gal dem, who hot live a peppa pot
Shove up weh y uh got I caan live widout dat
Property secured and everyting is intact
A di real hot gal dem Buju Banton have
[Chorus:]
Nuh bodda wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
[Verse 3:]
Winey winey, a oonu nah seen what happen to mi style deh
Wuy yoy! Who a di monsta some gal caan ansa
Run wey from Kingston go hide ova [?]
Hold up a second just respect yuh get
How dat gal a wuk out she still nah collect
A regula yuh sorry fi how yuh life set
Soime gal too beg beg and always diss
Mi hitch up pon di riddim Buju haffi protest
This a request to di gal dem weh defend di progress
I'm Buju Banton give dem di latest
Woman fashionable, hear mi
[Chorus:]
Nuh wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
[Verse 4:]
Woman I got somethin on my miiiind
Somethin spectacular fi mek yuh feel fiiiine
Treat yuh so much yuh call yuh friends same time and a
Wheel it again she a go tell mi rewind and a
Pleasure forever a nuh waste of tiiiime
Inna yuh treasure dung inna yuh goldmiiiine
Haste this waste dat a waste of time and a
Nuh body charge Buju Banton fi nuh crime
[Chorus:]
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine
Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind
Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined
A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Buju Banton's "Waistline" is an upbeat and catchy reggae track that's all about empowerment and confidence. The lyrics encourage women to embrace their bodies and flaunt their curves, rather than let other people bring them down. The song begins by stating that the woman is special and asks her to be wise. Buju then tells the woman that he has something spectacular in mind to make her feel fine. He reminds her that he'll treat her well and that she can call her friends to come and see her in that moment.
The chorus of the song encourages the woman to wuk out her waistline and spine, and to not worry about what others say. The lyrics state that her clothes fit her body well, and her skin is well-defined. Buju reminds the woman that this makes her hot, and that many other women are jealous of her for her good looks. The next verse repeats the same message, but this time, Buju reminds the woman that her man loves her, and that they should be together despite what others say or do. He tells the woman that the haters should be ignored, and that her value isn't based solely on how much money she makes.
Overall, "Waistline" is all about celebrating confidence and body positivity. It encourages women to be proud of their bodies and gives them a voice against those who wish to bring them down. Buju's catchy tune and clever lyrics make "Waistline" a feel-good song with an important message.
Line by Line Meaning
Gal wild, inna special half inna special pride, girl child be wise
Women should be confident and proud of themselves, while still being wise about their decisions.
Woman I got somethin on my miiiind, Somethin spectacular fi mek yuh feel fiiiine
I have something in mind to make you feel amazing and special.
Treat yuh so much yuh call yuh friends same time and a, Wheel it again she a go tell mi rewind and a, Pleasure forever a nuh waste of tiiiime, Inna yuh treasure dung inna yuh goldmiiiine, Haste this waste dat a waste of time and a, Nuh body charge Buju Banton fi nuh crime
I'll treat you so well that you'll want to tell your friends to rewind and do it again. Pleasure is never a waste of time and you are my treasure. Hurrying is a waste of time, and nobody can blame me.
Just wuk out yuh waistline wuk out yuh spine, Just caan bodda yuh yuh leff dem behind, Yuh clothes fit yuh body good skin well defined, A nuff gal a talk seh yuh nah get a dime
Move your waist and spine, don't worry about anyone else and show off your well-defined body. Some women may talk, but they can't say you didn't earn it.
Gal yuh man love yuh bad and yuh caan suede time, Cop up wid yuh lova when it touch night time, Nuff gal a playa hate yuh but everyting fine, Nuh cash orda yuh clothes deh pon line
Your man loves you very much and he can't get enough of you. Spend time with him at night. Other women may be jealous, but everything is okay because you don't have to buy your clothes online.
Fi di gal dem, who hot live a peppa pot, Shove up weh y uh got I caan live widout dat, Property secured and everyting is intact, A di real hot gal dem Buju Banton have
For the hot girls out there, show off what you've got because Buju Banton can't live without it. Your property is secure and everything is fine.
Winey winey, a oonu nah seen what happen to mi style deh, Wuy yoy! Who a di monsta some gal caan ansa, Run wey from Kingston go hide ova [?], Hold up a second just respect yuh get, How dat gal a wuk out she still nah collect, A regula yuh sorry fi how yuh life set, Soime gal too beg beg and always diss, Mi hitch up pon di riddim Buju haffi protest, This a request to di gal dem weh defend di progress, I'm Buju Banton give dem di latest, Woman fashionable, hear mi
Dance and have fun, you haven't seen anything yet. You can't compete with me. You might hide from me, so respect me. Some girls don't get paid even if they work hard. You should be sorry for the life you've been given. Some girls always beg and complain. I'm protesting against the trend. Girls who defend progress should listen to my latest music. Women should be fashionable, listen to me.
Contributed by Nora L. 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?