Unchained Spirit of Buju Banton

Buju Banton was born Mark Anthony Myrie, a.k.a. Gargamel in 1973 in Jamaica. At 19. He was already named the most popular artist in Jamaica. He broke Bob Marley’s record for the most number one singles in a year. Most of them are from his outstanding 1993 debut, Mr. Mention. His “Love Me Browning” was controversial as the song was celebrating light-skinned women. He quickly answered it with the followup hit, “Love Black Woman.” He also helped start a major dance craze with “Bogle.”

More from Banton’s first hits were rather controversial. By far, his biggest and most controversial hit was an old track “Boom Bye Bye.” As it was greatly on air in some of America’s largest markets, the New York Post put a translation of the lyrics on its front page which tackles mainly about anti-homosexuality. Instead of killing his career, it rather became the momentum for Banton’s conversion into one of dancehall’s top conscious artists. “Willy (Don’t Be Silly)” was a pro-condom-use single from which all proceeds were donated to Operation Willy, supporting children affected by the HIV virus or AIDS.

’Til Shiloh came out in 1995 and was ranked as one of the greatest reggae albums ever. He brought the worlds of hardcore dancehall and conscious reggae by incorporating more singing into his performance. It was enhanced with edgy, bass-pumping tracks like “Champion” and the anti-gun-violence “Murderer” standing next to rootsy, acoustic cuts like “Untold Stories” and “’Til I’m Laid To Rest.” Doubts about his singing ability were silenced when he held his own with Morgan Heritage’s Gramps on “23rd Psalm,” the most solemn reggae hit since Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.”

It has been his trademark – singing in duets. These singles contrast loud melody with sweet touches of Beres Hammond and Wayne Wonder. The two-CD set Buju & Friends collects most of these. There were also hardcore DJ duets with Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Red Rat, plus a remake of “54-46 That’s My Number” with Toots Hibbert and a “digital duet” with the late Tenor Saw on “Ring The Alarm.”

He faced some problems with major labels and misguided attempts, but Buju Banton is still standing strong, and his name will forever be a legacy of reggae music.

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