Mark Anthony Myrie (born 15 July 1973),^[2] known professionally asBuju Banton, is a Jamaicandancehall,ragga, andreggae singer. He is one of the most significant and well-regarded artists inJamaican music.^[3][4][5] Banton has collaborated with many international artists, including those in thehip hop,Latin andpunk rock genres, as well as the sons ofBob Marley.^[6]

Buju Banton
Banton in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Mark Anthony Myrie
Also known as	Gargamel
Born	(1973-07-15)15 July 1973 (age 51) Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Dancehall roots reggae[1]
Occupations	Singer songwriter
Years active	1987–2011 2018–present
Labels	Techniques Penthouse Mercury PolyGram Loose Cannon Island VP Gargamel Music Roc Nation

Banton released a number of dancehall singles as early as 1987 but came to prominence in 1992 with two albums,Stamina Daddy andMr. Mention, the latter becoming the best-selling album in Jamaican history upon its release.^[7] That year he also broke the record for No. 1 singles inJamaica, previously held byBob Marley and the Wailers.^[8] He signed with the major labelMercury Records and releasedVoice of Jamaica in 1993. By the mid-1990s, Banton's music became more influenced by hisRastafari faith, as heard on the seminal albums'Til Shiloh andInna Heights.

In 2009, he was arrested for cocaine trafficking charges in the United States, his first trial resulting in a hung jury. His 2010 albumBefore the Dawn won aGrammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the53rd Annual Grammy Awards. In 2011, he was convicted on the aforementioned criminal charge and was imprisoned in the U.S. until December 2018, whereupon he was released, and deported^[9] to Jamaica.

Buju Banton was born inKingston, Jamaica, in an area known as Barbican Road, Kingston 8. Buju is a nickname given to him by his mother as a child.Banton is a Jamaican word that refers to someone who is a respected storyteller, and it was adopted by Myrie in tribute to thedeejayBurro Banton, whom he admired as a child.^[10] Buju emulated Burro's rough vocals and forceful delivery, developing his own distinctive style. Buju's mother was ahiggler, or street vendor, while his father worked as a labourer at a tile factory. He was the youngest of fifteen children born into a family that was directly descended from theMaroons of Jamaica. In August 2024, Banton said he had traced his origin to theIgbo people according to his bloodline. Igbo is an ethnic group predominantly found inNigeria.^[11] Singer Sean Kingston allege that Banton is his uncle, but that story is yet to be proven true.

Banton has homes in Jamaica andTamarac, Florida (United States).^[12][13] He also has 17 children.^[14]

As a youngster, Banton would often watch his favourite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls inDenham Town. At the age of 12, he picked up the microphone for himself and begantoasting under the moniker of Gargamel, working with the Sweet Love and Rambo Mangosound systems.^[10] In 1986, he was introduced to producerRobert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie, and his first single, "The Ruler" was released not long afterward in 1987.^[10] This led to recording sessions with producers such as Patrick Roberts,Bunny Lee,Winston Riley, and Digital B.^{[citation needed]}

In 1991, Banton joinedDonovan Germain'sPenthouse Records label and began a fruitful partnership with producerDave Kelly who later launched his own "Madhouse Records" label.^[10] Banton is one of the most popular musicians inJamaican history, having major chart success in 1992, with "Bogle" and "Love meBrowning", both massive hits in Jamaica. Controversy erupted over "Love Me Browning" which spoke of Banton's penchant for lighter-skinned black women: "Mi love my car mi love my bike mi love mi money and ting, but most of all mi love mi browning." Some accused Banton of denigrating the beauty of darker-skinned black women. In response, he released "Love Black Woman", which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties: "Mi nuh Stop cry, fi all black women, respect all the girls dem with dark complexion".^[15] 1992 was an explosive year for Banton as he brokeBob Marley's record for the greatest number of #1 singles in a year. Banton's gruff voice dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the duration of the year. His debut album,Mr. Mention, includes many of his greatest hits from that year including "Bonafide Love" featuring Wayne Wonder, the singer who first brought Banton out as a guest star on the annual Jamaican stage show Sting.^{[citation needed]}

1992 also saw the unsanctioned re-release of "Boom Bye Bye", a controversial song recorded several years earlier in 1988 when the artist was 15 years old, which resulted in a backlash that threatened to destroy his career.^[10] Several years later, the song would later become the subject of outrage in the United States and Europe, leading to Banton being dropped from the line-up of theWOMAD festival as well as numerous other scheduled performances.^[10] Banton subsequently issued a public apology.^[10]

Now on the majorMercury/PolyGram label, Banton released the hard-hittingVoice of Jamaica in 1993. The album included a number of conscious tracks. These tracks included "Deportees", a song which criticises those Jamaicans who went abroad but never sent money home; "Tribal War" a collaboration withTony Rebel,Brian & Tony Gold, and Terry Ganzie, a sharp condemnation of political violence that interpolatesLittle Roy's classic reggae song of the same name; and "Willy, Don't Be Silly", which promotessafe sex and the use of contraceptives, particularly the condom, profits from which were donated to a charity supporting children withAIDS.^[10] Banton was invited to meet Jamaican Prime MinisterP. J. Patterson, and won several awards that year at the Caribbean Music Awards and the Canadian Music Awards.^[10]

Some of Banton's lyrics dealt with violent themes, which he explained as reflecting the images that young Jamaicans were presented with by the news media. The reality of Kingston's violence was brought home in 1993 by the murders in separate incidents of three of his friends and fellow recording artists, the deejaysPan Head and Dirtsman and singer Mickey Simpson.^[10] His response was the single "Murderer", which condemned gun violence, going against the flow of the prevailing lyrical content in dancehall. The song inspired several clubs to stop playing songs with the excessively violent subject matter. Late in 1994, Banton was also affected by the death of his friendGarnett Silk. Banton's transformation continued, as he embraced theRastafari movement and began growing dreadlocks. His performances and musical releases took on a more spiritual tone. Banton toured Europe and Japan, playing sold-out shows.^{[citation needed]}

'Til Shiloh (1995) was a very influential album, incorporating live instrumentation as well as digital rhythms, and incorporating the sounds of roots reggae along with the harder-edged dancehall sounds that first made Banton famous. The artist was embracing his Rastafari faith and his new album reflected these beliefs.Til Shiloh successfully blended conscious lyrics with a hard-hitting dancehall vibe. The album included earlier singles such as "Murderer" along with "Wanna Be Loved" and "Untold Stories". In 1996, Banton contributed "Wanna Be Loved (Desea ser Amado)" along withLos Pericos to theRed Hot Organization's albumSilencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin for theRed Hot Benefit Series. This series raises money to increase AIDS awareness.^{[citation needed]}

That same year, Banton took control of his business by establishing his own Gargamel Music label, releasing the popular single "Love Sponge" on vinyl in Jamaica and overseas. In years to come, Gargamel would expand into an outlet for Banton's own productions.^{[citation needed]}

Inna Heights (1997) substantially increased Banton's international audience as he explored his singing ability and recorded a number ofroots-tinged tracks, including the hugely popular "Destiny" and "Hills and Valleys". The album also included collaborations with artists such asBeres Hammond and the legendaryToots Hibbert. The album was well received by fans at the time and critics praised Banton's soaring vocals. The album has aged well and remains a highly regarded work over 20 years after its release. In 1998, Banton met thepunk bandRancid and recorded three tracks with them: "No More Misty Days", "Hooligans" and "Life Won't Wait". The latter became the title track of Rancid's 1998 albumLife Won't Wait.^{[citation needed]}

Banton signed withAnti- Records, a subsidiary ofBrett Gurewitz'sEpitaph Records, and releasedUnchained Spirit in 2000.^[16] The album showcased diverse musical styles, and featured guest appearances byLuciano,Morgan Heritage,Stephen Marley, andRancid. It carried little of the roots feel heard onTil Shiloh and virtually none of the hardcore dancehall sound which had brought him to public acclaim early in his career.^{[citation needed]}

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 releasedFriends 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.^[17] The album focused on political messages regarding theAfrican diaspora, featuring excerpts from a speech made byMarcus Garvey. "Paid Not Played", also featured on the album, displayed a gradual return to the themes more popular in dancehall. The album also featured somehip hop influence with the inclusion of rapperFat Joe.^{[citation needed]}

2006 saw the release of theToo 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 revivingSly and Robbie's "Taxi"riddim. Banton performed at the2007 Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony withThird World andBeres Hammond. The albumRasta Got Soul was released in 2009. Produced by Banton, with contributions from longtime collaboratorsDonovan Germain, Stephen Marsden andWyclef 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 ofcocaine.^[18] Banton was then moved to thePinellas County Jail where he remained until trial.A six-day trial inTampa, Florida was declared amistrial on 27 September 2010, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision.^[19] 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.^[19] The informant was reportedly paid $50,000 for his work on the case.^[19]The singer was released that November on bond.^[20]

He was allowed to perform one concert between trials, which was held on 16 January 2011 to a sold-out crowd in Miami.^[21] A few weeks after the performance, he was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album^[22] but was not allowed to attend the ceremony.^{[citation needed]}

On 13 February 2011, one day before the scheduled start of his second court trial inTampa, Florida, Banton'sBefore the Dawn album was announced as the winner of Best Reggae Album at the53rd Annual Grammy Awards.^[23]

On 22 February 2011, Banton was found guilty ofconspiracy 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.^[24] Four months later, he was sentenced to ten years and one month in a federal prison for the cocaine trafficking conviction.^[25] 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.^[26] Despite the fact that a juror was found guilty of misconduct,^[27] Banton waived his right to an appeal. On 14 May 2015, federal prosecutors agreed to drop the firearms charge.^[28]

Banton was released on 7 December 2018 fromMcRae Correctional Institution.^[29]

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 atNational Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica in March 2019; the concert attracted over 30,000 people.^[7][30] During his tour, he continued putting out new music and new singles including "Bagga Mouth", "False Pretense", and "Country for Sale".^[31]

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 withDave Kelly and directed by Kieran Khan. The track peaked at number one on theBillboard Reggae Digital Song Sales chart.^[32]

Banton announced his partnership withJay-Z'sRoc 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 thatIsland Records will be the distributor of the collaboration's new music.^[33][31][34]

In January 2020, Banton was featured on theBad Boys for Life soundtrack, which was produced byDJ Khaled. His song titled "Murda She Wrote" was a nod to the 1992 dancehall classic "Murder She Wrote" by Jamaican reggae duoChaka Demus & Pliers.^[35]

On 29 February 2020, Banton produced the "Steppaz Riddim" under this own Gargamel Music label. Theriddim, released underRoc Nation, featured 11 tracks and included contributions from Vershon,Delly Ranx,Agent Sasco, Bling Dawg and General B.^[36] Banton released his 13th studio album and his first in a decade,Upside Down 2020 on 26 June 2020. The album includes guest appearances fromJohn Legend,Pharrell,Stefflon Don andStephen Marley.^{[37][38][39][40]} Banton appeared on the track "Believe What I Say" byKanye West, off his 2021 albumDonda.^[41]

In 2021, Banton began a project releasingNFT's. "Banton has teamed up with CrimsonTide Ltd. to create a collection of originalNFT art pieces that will come in digital and autographed canvas pieces".^[42] Banton became one of the first Jamaican artists to release an NFT. He also appeared onDJ Khaled's albumKhaled Khaled. He appeared on the track "WHERE YOU COME FROM" along withCapleton andBounty Killer.^{[citation needed]}

In 2022, Banton was featured onDJ Khaled's albumGod Did. He appeared on the track "These Streets Know My Name" along withSkillibeng,Capleton,Bounty Killer, andSizzla.^[43]

Recently, Buju Banton has expressed criticism towards reggaetón, a genre that blends Latin rhythms with Jamaican dancehall and hip-hop influences, particularly for what he sees as a lack of recognition for the genre's Jamaican roots and the absence of collaborations between reggaetón artists and Jamaican musicians. However, in the past, he collaborated with Puerto Rican reggaetón artist Tego Calderón on the song 'Bad Man.'^[44]

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 ofgay men.^[45] After the re-release in 1992, Banton issued a public apology after receiving public backlash internationally.^[10] In 2009, gay-rights groups appealed to venues around the United States not to host Buju Banton.^[46]

In 2007, Banton was allegedly among a number of reggae artists who signed a pledge, called the Reggae Compassionate Act, created by theStop Murder Music campaign, to refrain from performing homophobic songs or making homophobic statements.^[47] 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.^[48] 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.^[49]

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.^[50] 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."^[51]

• Stamina Daddy (1992) – later repackaged asQuick
• Mr. Mention (1992)
• Voice of Jamaica (1993)
• 'Til Shiloh (1995)
• Inna Heights (1997)
• Unchained Spirit (2000)
• Friends for Life (2003)
• Too Bad (2006)
• Rasta Got Soul (2009)
• Before the Dawn (2010)
• Upside Down 2020 (2020)
• Born for Greatness (2023)

• Buju Banton atAllMusic
• https://www.billboard.com/artist/buju-banton
• Buju Banton discography atDiscogs