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.
What Ya Gonna Do?
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh what a feeling
This feeling rudebwoy is feelin
I'm so lonely inside I feel like screaming (Cho!)
[Wayne Wonder:]
(Believe me) Girl I'm lonely for you only (Lonely, lonely - Oh so lonely)
Feelin lonely, lonely, lonely
Girl, I'm lonely for you only
[Buju Banton:]
(Stein!)
(A mi seh) Whatcha gonna do
Woman fed up
She say she no inna nuttin wida-a you
Cyaan see ya through
(Mi seh) Whatcha gonna do
Woman fed up
She say she no inna nuttin wida-a you
Cyaan see ya through (Mi say)
Get it together
Woman dem no inna
'Nother accapella fella
Good weather, bad weather
Strong umbrella
Yuh back haffi broad
Make di woman feel as if she flying on a Concord
Yes, mi bredda
'Member mi say
Use up cool water
Whatcha gonna do
To get back dis dawta
'Ave di lamb in hand
An let it escape slaughter
Now all over town you is a laugh
Whatcha gonna do
Woman fed up
She say she no inna nuttin wida-a you
Cyaan see ya through
(Mi say) Whatcha gonna say
Woman pack up
She say she leaving out right away
Wont stay another day (I say)
[Wayne Wonder:]
Was it something that I've done
Was it something that I've said (Was it something I gwan with)
Tell me, tell me (What a gwan with)
What can I do to change your mind
Baby don't let me down
Not this time
No way
[Buju Banton:]
Lady, I give yuh all di lovin
The attention I have
An devoted attention
Never treated you bad
Don't you leave a lonely man
I'll be literally mad
You bring joy to dis Bwoy
Wit di lovin that you have
Fantabalous smile
Captivate me all di while
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
Like a motherless child
Yuh curve mi observe
It rest pon mi nerve
Oh girl, I am missin
Night an day
The Rasta is reminiscing (I sing)
Whatcha gonna do
Woman fed up
She say she no inna nuttin wid you
Cyaan see ya through
Me say Whatcha gonna say
Woman pack up
She say she leaving rght away
Won't stay another day (I singing)
[Wayne Wonder:]
I am Lonely, lonely, lonely (Oh I'm singin)
Girl I'm lonely for you only (Lonely for you only now)
Feelin lonely, lonely, lonely (An I'm serious, dat aint no joke)
Girl, I'm lonely for you only
Buju Banton:
(Stein!)
I cry
Get it together
Woman dem no inna
'Nother accapella fella
Good weather, bad weather
Strong umbrella
Remember its hard
Make di woman feel
As if she de pon on a Concord
Fella
'Member mi say
Use up cool water
Whatcha gonna do
To obtain dis dawta
Have di lamb in hand
An let it escape slaughter
Now all over town you is a laugh
Whatcha gonna do
Woman fed up
She say she no inna nuttin wida-a you
Cyaan see ya through
(I know dat)
[Wayne Wonder:]
I am Lonely, lonely, lonely (Oh so lonely for you)
Girl I'm lonely for you only (Oh so lonely, I'm Oh-so lonely)
Feelin lonely, lonely, lonely
Girl, I'm lonely for you only
The song "What Ya Gonna Do?" by Buju Banton is a powerful and emotional piece that speaks about the troubles of a relationship in doubt. Buju is singing about feeling lonely inside and wanting to scream, while Wayne Wonder is adding to the emotional depth of the song by reflecting on his own personal feelings of loneliness. The lyrics then shift focus to the woman in the relationship, who has had enough of her partner's ways and feels like leaving him. Buju is imploring her not to leave him, reminiscing about the love and devotion he has given her, and begging her to stay with him. The song is a perfect example of Buju Banton's unique blend of reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop, and his exceptional storytelling abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh what a feeling
The rudebwoy is feeling a strong emotion.
This feeling rudebwoy is feelin
The rudebwoy is feeling emotional.
I'm so lonely inside I feel like screaming (Cho!)
The rudebwoy is extremely lonely and feels like screaming.
I am Lonely, lonely, lonely (Lonely for you only)
The singer is lonely for his lover.
(Believe me) Girl I'm lonely for you only (Lonely, lonely - Oh so lonely)
The singer wants his lover to believe that he is only lonely for her.
Feelin lonely, lonely, lonely
The singer is consistently feeling lonely.
Girl, I'm lonely for you only
The singer is lonely for his lover.
(Stein!)
An exclamation or ad-lib.
(A mi seh) Whatcha gonna do
The rudebwoy is asking what someone will do in a certain situation.
Woman fed up
The woman is fed up and has had enough.
She say she no inna nuttin wida-a you
The woman is not interested in being involved with the person.
Cyaan see ya through
The person is unreliable and cannot be depended on.
(Mi seh) Whatcha gonna do
The rudebwoy is asking what someone will do in a certain situation.
Get it together
The person needs to gather themselves and get their act together.
Woman dem no inna
Women are not interested in the person.
'Nother accapella fella
Another singer without instrumental accompaniment.
Good weather, bad weather
Through good or bad times.
Strong umbrella
The person needs to be strong to protect themselves from the difficulties of life.
Yuh back haffi broad
The person needs to be able to handle the big things in life.
Make di woman feel as if she flying on a Concord
The person needs to make the woman feel like she is on top of the world.
Yes, mi bredda
An affirmation, like 'yes, bro'.
'Member mi say
Remember what I said.
Use up cool water
Use the resources you have wisely.
Whatcha gonna do
The rudebwoy is asking what someone will do in a certain situation.
To get back dis dawta
To win this girl back.
'Ave di lamb in hand
Have something that the woman desires.
An let it escape slaughter
Don't let it go to waste or ruin it.
Now all over town you is a laugh
People are laughing at the person because of their actions.
Whatcha gonna say
The rudebwoy is asking what someone will say in a certain situation.
Woman pack up
The woman is leaving the person.
She say she leaving out right away
She is leaving immediately and not staying any longer.
Wont stay another day (I say)
She will not stay any longer.
Was it something that I've done
The singer is asking if he did something wrong.
Was it something that I've said (Was it something I gwan with)
The singer is asking if something he said or did caused the problem.
Tell me, tell me (What a gwan with)
The singer wants to know what is happening and why there is a problem.
What can I do to change your mind
The singer wants to know what he can do to make things right.
Baby don't let me down
The singer doesn't want to be disappointed or let down.
Not this time
The singer has been let down before and doesn't want it to happen again.
No way
The singer is determined that he will not be let down again.
Lady, I give yuh all di lovin
The singer has given everything he has in terms of love.
The attention I have
The singer has given his full attention to his lover.
An devoted attention
The singer has lovingly and steadily given his attention.
Never treated you bad
The singer has never mistreated his lover.
Don't you leave a lonely man
The singer doesn't want to be left lonely.
I'll be literally mad
The singer will be driven to madness if he is left alone.
You bring joy to dis Bwoy
The woman brings happiness to the singer.
Wit di lovin that you have
With the love that she gives him.
Fantabalous smile
A stunning and enchanting smile.
Captivate me all di while
The smile has a continuous effect on the singer.
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely
The singer is extremely lonely.
Like a motherless child
The singer feels alone and abandoned, like a child without a mother.
Yuh curve mi observe
The singer has observed her curves.
It rest pon mi nerve
Her curves have an effect on the singer's nerves.
Oh girl, I am missin
The singer is missing his lover.
Night an day
All the time, day and night.
The Rasta is reminiscing (I sing)
The singer is a Rastafarian and is remembering happier times with his lover.
Whatcha gonna say
The rudebwoy is asking what someone will say in a certain situation.
Won't stay another day (I singing)
She will not stay any longer.
I am Lonely, lonely, lonely (Oh so lonely for you)
The singer is extremely lonely without his lover.
Girl I'm lonely for you only (Oh so lonely, I'm Oh-so lonely)
The singer is only lonely for his lover.
Feelin lonely, lonely, lonely
The singer is consistently feeling lonely.
(An I'm serious, dat aint no joke)
The singer is seriously feeling lonely and it's not a joke.
(I know dat)
An affirmation, like 'I know that'.
I cry
The singer is crying because he is lonely.
Contributed by Annabelle V. 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?