Buju Banton's Musical Legacy, A Living Legend of Jamaican Music

Buju Banton's Musical Legacy, A Living Legend of Jamaican Music

Mark Anthony Myrie, known by his stage name Buju Banton, is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. With his unique style and powerful voice, Banton has become one of the most significant and well-regarded artists in Jamaican music history.

Banton's musical journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, where he was born on July 15, 1973. Growing up in an area known as Barbican Road, he was exposed to the vibrant music scene of the city from a young age. As a child, Banton would often watch his favorite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls in Denham Town.

At the age of 12, Banton took the microphone for himself and began toasting under the moniker of Gargamel. He worked with the Sweet Love and Rambo Mango sound systems, honing his skills and developing his distinctive style. His rough vocals and forceful delivery drew inspiration from the deejay Burro Banton, whom he admired as a child.

Banton's talent caught the attention of producer Robert Ffrench, who introduced him to the music industry. In 1987, Banton released his first single, "The Ruler," which marked the beginning of his recording career. He went on to collaborate with renowned producers such as Patrick Roberts, Bunny Lee, Winston Riley, and Digital B.

In 1991, Banton joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Records label, where he formed a fruitful partnership with producer Dave Kelly. This collaboration led to major chart success in 1992, with hits like "Bogle" and "Love Me Browning." However, controversy surrounded the latter song, as some accused Banton of denigrating darker-skinned black women. In response, he released "Love Black Woman" to express his love and respect for all women.

That same year, Banton's career reached new heights as he broke Bob Marley's record for the most number one singles in Jamaica. His debut album, "Mr. Mention," featured many of his greatest hits from that year, including the popular track "Bonafide Love" featuring Wayne Wonder.

However, 1992 also brought a setback for Banton. An unsanctioned re-release of his controversial song "Boom Bye Bye," recorded when he was 15 years old, led to a backlash that threatened to destroy his career. Banton later issued a public apology, acknowledging the offensive nature of the song.

Undeterred, Banton signed with the major label Mercury Records and released "Voice of Jamaica" in 1993. The album showcased a more conscious and socially aware side of the artist. Tracks like "Deportees" criticized Jamaicans who went abroad without supporting their home country, while "Tribal War" condemned political violence.

Banton's transformation continued with the release of his influential album "Til Shiloh" in 1995. Embracing his Rastafari faith, the album incorporated live instrumentation and blended conscious lyrics with a hard-hitting dancehall vibe. It included hits like "Murderer," which condemned gun violence, and "Wanna Be Loved."

Throughout his career, Banton has collaborated with international artists from various genres, including hip hop, Latin, and punk rock. He has also won several awards, including a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2010 for "Before the Dawn."

In 2009, Banton faced legal troubles when he was arrested for cocaine trafficking charges in the United States. After a hung jury in his first trial, he was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to prison. Banton served his sentence until December 2018 when he was released and deported back to Jamaica.

Banton signed with Anti- Records, a subsidiary of Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph Records, and released Unchained Spirit in 2000. The album showcased diverse musical styles, and featured guest appearances by Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Stephen Marley, and Rancid. It carried little of the roots feel heard on Til Shiloh and virtually none of the hardcore dancehall sound which had brought him to public acclaim early in his career.

Several singles followed in the start of the new decade, which was perceived as more mellow and introspective, as opposed to the dancehall approach of his early career. In March 2003, Banton released Friends for Life, which featured more sharply political songs, including "Mr. Nine", an anti-gun song that was a hit in Jamaica's dancehalls as well as internationally. The album focused on political messages regarding the African diaspora, featuring excerpts from a speech made by Marcus Garvey. "Paid Not Played", also featured on the album, displayed a gradual return to the themes more popular in dancehall. The album also featured some hip hop influence with the inclusion of rapper Fat Joe.

2006 saw the release of the Too Bad, an album that was more dancehall-oriented in style. One of the slower tracks from the album, "Driver A", went on to become a major hit, while at the same time reviving Sly and Robbie's "Taxi" riddim. Banton performed at the 2007 Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony with Third World and Beres Hammond. The album Rasta Got Soul was released in 2009. Produced by Banton, with contributions from longtime collaborators Donovan Germain, Stephen Marsden and Wyclef Jean, Rasta Got Soul was a 100% roots reggae album recorded over a seven-year period before its release. It went on to earn Banton his fourth Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2010.


Mug shot of Banton taken shortly after his arrest

In December 2009, Drug Enforcement Administration agents remanded Banton to custody in Miami, where the U.S. Attorney charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine. Banton was then moved to the Pinellas County Jail where he remained until trial. A six-day trial in Tampa, Floridawas declared a mistrial on 27 September 2010, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. During the trial, audio recordings were presented of Banton and a drug-dealer-turned-government-informant discussing drugs, drug prices and smuggling. Banton was also seen on a video recording meeting the informant in a police-controlled warehouse tasting cocaine from a kilogram bag. The informant was reportedly paid $50,000 for his work on the case. The singer was released that November on bond.

He was allowed to perform one concert between trials, which was held on 16 January 2011 to a sold-out crowd in Miami. A few weeks after the performance, he was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album but was not allowed to attend the ceremony.

2010s

On 13 February 2011, one day before the scheduled start of his second court trial in Tampa, Florida, Banton's Before the Dawn album was announced as the winner of Best Reggae Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

On 22 February 2011, Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense and using communication wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense. He was found not guilty on the charge of attempted possession of five kilograms or more of cocaine. Four months later, he was sentenced to ten years and one month in a federal prison for the cocaine trafficking conviction. His sentencing on a related firearms conviction (despite the fact that Banton was never found with a gun) was scheduled for 30 October 2012, and then postponed on his lawyer's request for an investigation of possible juror misconduct. Despite the fact that a juror was found guilty of misconduct, Banton waived his right to an appeal. On 14 May 2015, federal prosecutors agreed to drop the firearms charge.

Banton was released on 7 December 2018 from McRae Correctional Institution.

Upon his release from prison in the United States in December 2018, Banton started The Long Walk to Freedom tour and performed his first concert at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica in March 2019; the concert attracted over 30,000 people. During his tour, he continued putting out new music and new singles including "Bagga Mouth", "False Pretense", and "Country for Sale".

In May 2019, Banton released "Country for Sale"; the song topped the iTunes Reggae Chart within minutes after the announcement of its release. The song was recorded at the Gargamel Music Studio, Donovan Germain's own recording studio in the Corporate Area. On 12 November of the same year, he released his first official music video entitled “Trust”. The video marked the first anniversary of Banton's release from prison and was produced in collaboration with Dave Kelly and directed by Kieran Khan. The track peaked at number one on the Billboard Reggae Digital Song Sales chart.

Banton announced his partnership with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in November of that year, becoming the second Jamaican reggae artist be represented by the agency, which coincided with the release of his music video "Steppa". He also announced that Island Records will be the distributor of the collaboration's new music.

2020's

In January 2020, Banton was featured on the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack, which was produced by DJ Khaled. His song titled "Murda She Wrote" was a nod to the 1992 dancehall classic "Murder She Wrote" by Jamaican reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers.

On 29 February 2020, Banton produced the "Steppaz Riddim" under this own Gargamel Music label. The riddim, released under Roc Nation, featured 11 tracks and included contributions from Vershon, Delly Ranx, Agent Sasco, Bling Dawg and General B. Banton released his 13th studio album and his first in a decade, Upside Down 2020 on 26 June 2020. The album includes guest appearances from John Legend, Pharrell, Stefflon Don and Stephen Marley. Banton appeared on the track "Believe What I Say" by Kanye West, off his 2021 album Donda.

In 2021, Banton began a project releasing NFT's. "Banton has teamed up with CrimsonTide Ltd. to create a collection of original NFT art pieces that will come in digital and autographed canvas pieces".Banton became one of the first Jamaican artists to release an NFT. He also appeared on DJ Khaled's album Khaled Khaled. He appeared on the track "WHERE YOU COME FROM" along with Capleton and Bounty Killer.

In 2022, Banton was featured on DJ Khaled's album God Did. He appeared on the track "These Streets Know My Name" along with Skilliberg, Capleton, Bounty Killer, and Sizzla. 

His song "Boom Bye Bye", which was originally recorded when he was 15 years old and later re-released in 1992 at the age of 19 contains lyrics depicting the murder of gay men. After the re-release in 1992, Banton issued a public apology after receiving public backlash internationally. In 2009, gay-rights groups appealed to venues around the United States not to host Buju Banton.

In 2007, Banton was allegedly among a number of reggae artists who signed a pledge, called the Reggae Compassionate Act, created by the Stop Murder Music campaign, to refrain from performing homophobic songs or making homophobic statements.The Act stated that the signers "do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of LOVE, RESPECT, and UNDERSTANDING towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae music" and promised that the artists involved no longer believed in sexism, homophobia, or violence and that they would not perform music that went against these beliefs on stage.Banton later denied that he had made any such commitment, although he did refrain from performing "Boom Bye Bye" and other offensive songs at the 2007 Reggae Carifest concert.

On 20 March 2019, Banton and his team officially removed "Boom Bye Bye" from his catalog. Banton's team pulled the song from streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify, and Banton announced his intention to never perform the song again. Banton issued a statement in which he clarified the importance of tolerance and love, saying, "In recent days there has been a great deal of press coverage about the song ‘Boom Bye Bye’ from my past which I long ago stopped performing and removed from any platform that I control or have influence over. I recognize that the song has caused much pain to listeners, as well as to my fans, my family and myself. After all the adversity we've been through I am determined to put this song in the past and continue moving forward as an artist and as a man. I affirm once and for all that everyone has the right to live as they so choose. In the words of the great Dennis Brown, 'Love and hate can never be friends.' I welcome everyone to my shows in a spirit of peace and love. Please come join me in that same spirit.

Today, Buju Banton remains a respected figure in the music industry. His impact on Jamaican music is undeniable, and his journey serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. With homes in Jamaica and Tamarac, Florida, Banton continues to create music and connect with his audience.

For more information about Buju Banton and other Jamaican music icons, visit Pure Jamaica Media at www.purejamaicamedia.com