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.
We'll Be Alright
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buju Banton, Luciano come fi teach
Listen and you will learn
The price you pay
And still at the end of the day
For them it's just a lue la lay
Spread a little love in the neighborhood
Buju done that, I and I done that
Spread a little love in the whole wide world
And telling my people better take control
We have done that, I and I done that
Well, so tell I, why do they act so strange who
Through mi natty them would a love mi rearrange who
Come ya to speak the truth, the natty never hold it back
I never hide the truth, Jah know mi never hide the fact
No couldn't love mi talk, no couldn't love mi chat
A who a try stop Buju fi reach pon top
Buju Banton, Luciano, two youth them can't stop
Touch it, touch it, touch it star
Amidst temptation, I and I will be strong
I earn my meditation in this holy Armageddon
With love and righteousness, we manifest upon creation
Together we're standing tall
We'll be alright
With Jah by my side
Most people think others cannot make it without dem
No man is an island but I still cannot trust dem
Oh, we have learned more than what they've taught us
So in this day and age, we'll let knowledge take its place
Over the mountains and over rocky terrains
We try to prove to mankind that Jah Jah lives and reigns
He in the heart of man so we must manifest
Together we're standing tall
Put your shoulder to the wheel, go days without meal
Walk up and down, run down mi boot heel
Nuff think I am jokin', nuff thinkin' it's fun
Catch I when I fall
We have been everywhere in the world we could
We spread a little love, we haffe know we should
We have done that, Buju Banton done that
We have traveled the world and we spread Jah word
Tellin' mankind to rise and move forward
We have done that, yes, Jah know we have done that
Why do they think Rasta cannot make it without dem
No man is an island but I refuse to trust, good gosh
Oh, we have learned more than what they've taught us
So in this day and age have got to let us, let us
Cannot move in rage, that's a wrong stage
That dem wan fi si mi do fi fling me inna cage
Take it easy, deh pon a descent page
Yeah, I'm not face
We will survive, yeah, Buju Banton
We will survive, oh, Luciano [Incomprehensible]
Jah tell me dat mi basket never empty
And food mi ago hav it nuff plenty
So mi nuh sit and worry, mi jus a wait pan prophecy
Ca mi know sey God will take care a mi
The song "We Be Alright" by Buju Banton is a message of hope and resilience. The lyrics talk about the struggles that Buju and his friend Luciano faced as they rose to fame in the music industry. Despite facing various challenges and temptations, they were able to stay true to their beliefs and spread love and positivity through their music. The chorus emphasizes the fact that with Jah, or God, by their side, they will be alright and will be able to overcome any obstacle.
The verses highlight the struggles and challenges faced by both artists. For example, in the first verse, Buju sings about how they have been through the fire and have not been burned. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the challenges they faced as they were rising to fame. He also talks about the fact that even though they have done good and spread love, some people still don't appreciate it and see it as just a "lue la lay."
In the second verse, Buju questions why some people act strange around him and Luciano, and why they would want to change him because of his appearance. He emphasizes the fact that he speaks the truth and never hides anything, but some people still try to hold him back. He also talks about the importance of staying strong amidst temptation and practicing meditation to maintain a sense of inner peace.
Overall, the song is a powerful message of hope and resilience. It encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and their beliefs, and to always strive to spread love and positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Been through the fire and didn't get burn
I have faced many challenges in life and have not been defeated by them
Buju Banton, Luciano come fi teach
Buju Banton and Luciano are here to educate and enlighten
Listen and you will learn
If you pay attention, you can broaden your knowledge and understanding
The price you pay
You have to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve your goals
And still at the end of the day
Even after all that effort
For them it's just a lue la lay
For others, it may seem simple or insignificant
We have done all the good that we know should
We have done everything we believe is right and just
Spread a little love in the neighborhood
We have shared kindness and positivity among our community
Buju done that, I and I done that
Both Buju Banton and myself have contributed positively
Spread a little love in the whole wide world
We have extended love and care beyond our immediate community
And telling my people better take control
I urge my people to take charge of their own destiny
Well, so tell I, why do they act so strange who
Why do people behave in such unusual ways towards me
Through mi natty them would a love mi rearrange who
Because of my dreadlocks, they try to change who I am
Come ya to speak the truth, the natty never hold it back
I always speak the truth and never hide who I am
I never hide the truth, Jah know mi never hide the fact
I am always honest, and God knows this
No couldn't love mi talk, no couldn't love mi chat
They can't control what I say or think
A who a try stop Buju fi reach pon top
Who is trying to hold me back from success
Buju Banton, Luciano, two youth them can't stop
Neither Buju nor Luciano can be stopped by anyone
Touch it, touch it, touch it star
We will succeed and reach for the stars
Amidst temptation, I and I will be strong
Despite facing adversity, we will remain resilient
I earn my meditation in this holy Armageddon
I find inner peace and strength through prayer during times of chaos
With love and righteousness, we manifest upon creation
We strive to create positivity and good through love and doing what's right
Together we're standing tall
As a united front, we can accomplish great things
We'll be alright
Everything will work out fine
With Jah by my side
With God's help and support
Most people think others cannot make it without dem
Many believe that success can only be achieved with the help of others
No man is an island but I still cannot trust dem
While it's true we need each other, I am still wary of others' intentions
Oh, we have learned more than what they've taught us
We have gained knowledge and wisdom beyond traditional teachings
So in this day and age, we'll let knowledge take its place
We'll prioritize learning and applying our newfound knowledge
Over the mountains and over rocky terrains
We have overcome many obstacles and challenges
We try to prove to mankind that Jah Jah lives and reigns
We strive to show people that God exists and has power over all
He in the heart of man so we must manifest
God resides within every person, so we must show it through our actions
Put your shoulder to the wheel, go days without meal
Work hard and make sacrifices to achieve your goals
Walk up and down, run down mi boot heel
Keep moving forward and don't give up
Nuff think I am jokin', nuff thinkin' it's fun
Many doubt my seriousness or think my pursuits are trivial
Catch I when I fall
Support me in times of need or uncertainty
We have been everywhere in the world we could
We have traveled extensively
We spread a little love, we haffe know we should
We have shared kindness and positivity, as we should
Tellin' mankind to rise and move forward
Encouraging people to grow and progress
Yes, Jah know we have done that
God knows that we have done our part
Why do they think Rasta cannot make it without dem
Why do some people believe that Rastafarians cannot succeed on their own
Oh, we have learned more than what they've taught us
We have gained wisdom beyond traditional teachings
So in this day and age have got to let us, let us
We must be allowed to apply our knowledge and progress
Cannot move in rage, that's a wrong stage
We must not let anger control us, as it's counterproductive
That dem wan fi si mi do fi fling me inna cage
Others may want to limit or trap me
Take it easy, deh pon a descent page
Relax, we are on a good path
Yeah, I'm not face
I am not discouraged
We will survive, yeah, Buju Banton
I will overcome, as will Buju Banton
We will survive, oh, Luciano [Incomprehensible]
Luciano will also emerge victorious
Jah tell me dat mi basket never empty
God assures me that I will never be without what I need
And food mi ago hav it nuff plenty
I will have an abundance of food
So mi nuh sit and worry, mi jus a wait pan prophecy
I don't fret, I simply trust in God's plans
Ca mi know sey God will take care a mi
Because I believe that God will provide for me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL CROSDALE, DONALD DENNIS, DONOVAN GERMAIN, STEVEN MARSDEN, JEPTER MCCLYMONT, MELBOURNE MILLER, MARK ANTHONY MYRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Errol Yan Hip
I love this song so much,we will be alright 🙏💕😇
startjuicingnow
I love this song!
Shadow9635
This songs charges me with good vibes.16years and still powerful. Jah bless
reppin trini
+Shadow9635 yes brethren...blessings...
pops1 pops1
this song is a masterpiece buju Luciano mashing it up.
reppin trini
+Afraz Khan yes i blessings..big concious tune...
Allison James
One of the wickedest combinations ever trust me,this tune big for real
reppin trini
+Allison James yes empress yuh seein dat...blessings...
Luiz Fernando
Reggae do bom
diamndz1021
love this song