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.
get it on feat. wayne wonder
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the moment of decision.
Got to love you like a real man.
Let us have some fun.
When you ready you to come come
Fit up me self already no man nah go run run Pleasure satisfaction alone me bring down down. Penis stiff up like a pencil hear a beat like a dumb dum.
Man nuh afraid a woman brave heart man a uh dumb dum.
Touch you body right and make you say its well done
Nah give her a half me a make she view the whole spectrum.
Woman just bring on the fun.
I'm gonna love you like its never been done.
Take on a level plane and set your equilibrium.
No escaping no turning back and no place to run woman a melt she a the butter me a the sun.
Try my best to make it better satisfy you bring you pleasure in your life.
Other guys would die to do whatever acting smart not being clever no not I.
Man a make love to woman them a look up inna space.
Nah feel no pleasure him nuh penetrate.
She want test her fate.
Hold on and brace get up tired and tried and ball fi body ace.
See the hussy carry the money make him confiscate. You rather have a man with whom ou can relate. First you be fair
Not variety fair the something the you have by right it has to share.
The lyrics to "Get it On" by Buju Banton are a mix of Jamaican Creole and English, which adds to their charm and authenticity. Banton, who is known for his expressive voice and socially conscious lyrics, delivers a message about love and pleasure with an assertiveness that shows his masculinity while still being respectful of women. The song is a conversation between Banton and a woman he is interested in, wherein he expresses his desire to please her and explore their sensual side together.
The first line, "Put yourself in my position, it's the moment of decision," sets the tone for what is to follow. Banton is asking the woman to consider his point of view and the opportunity they have to explore each other's bodies in a respectful and mutually satisfying way. He emphasizes the importance of treating her like a "real man," reflecting the stereotype of Jamaican men who are often seen as hyper-masculine and dominant. However, Banton does not subscribe to toxic masculinity; instead, he emphasizes mutual respect and emphasizes the importance of both partners experiencing pleasure.
The rest of the lyrics are full of explicit sexual references, but they are tastefully done and not vulgar. Banton is confident in his prowess and his ability to satisfy his partner. He uses metaphors and wordplay that are typical of Jamaican dancehall music, such as "penis stiff up like a pencil hear a beat like a dumb dum." The song's message is clear: there is no need to be ashamed or timid about enjoying sex, and both partners should feel empowered to express their desires and explore their bodies fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Put yourself in my position.
Please try to understand my perspective and situation.
It's the moment of decision.
We must make a choice now.
Got to love you like a real man.
I need to treat you with respect and care like a true gentleman.
Let us have some fun.
Let us enjoy ourselves and have a good time.
When you ready you to come come
Whenever you're ready to join me, come forward.
Fit up me self already no man nah go run run
I am fully prepared and won't back down.
Pleasure satisfaction alone me bring down down.
I bring pleasure and satisfaction on my own.
Penis stiff up like a pencil hear a beat like a dumb dum.
My arousal is strong, and my heart is racing.
Man nuh afraid a woman brave heart man a uh dumb dum.
A brave man isn't afraid of a woman.
Love you make you simmer and settle like a run down.
My love will calm and settle your mind.
Touch you body right and make you say its well done
I will touch your body correctly and skillfully to make you feel good.
Nah give her a half me a make she view the whole spectrum.
I won't hold back, I'll show you the full range of my abilities.
Woman just bring on the fun.
Women, let's have some fun together.
I'm gonna love you like its never been done.
I will show you a kind of love you've never experienced before.
Take on a level plane and set your equilibrium.
We'll meet each other on an equal level and balance each other out.
No escaping no turning back and no place to run woman a melt she a the butter me a the sun.
There's no way to avoid or go back now. You're melting, and I'm the source of your warmth.
Try my best to make it better satisfy you bring you pleasure in your life.
I'll do my best to improve your life and bring you joy.
Other guys would die to do whatever acting smart not being clever no not I.
Other guys might do anything to impress you, but I won't pretend or act foolishly.
Man a make love to woman them a look up inna space.
Many men are so distracted they don't pay attention to their partner.
Nah feel no pleasure him nuh penetrate.
They don't feel any pleasure, they can't make a real connection.
She want test her fate.
Women want to explore and experiment.
Hold on and brace get up tired and tried and ball fi body ace.
Endurance and resilience are necessary to overcome difficulties.
See the hussy carry the money make him confiscate.
Some women are only after a man's money, and eventually take advantage.
You rather have a man with whom ou can relate.
It's better to be with a man you can connect with emotionally and mentally.
First you be fair not variety fair the something the you have by right it has to share.
First and foremost, I must treat you with a sense of fairness and respect.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: VON WAYNE CHARLES, DONOVAN GERMAIN, MARK ANTHONY 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?