Born Mark Anthony Myrie near Kingston, Jamaica in 1973, he grew up in conditions that were less than favorable for the aspiring musician. He was the last of fifteen children, all from their market vendor mother and tile factory worker father. Buju – a local term for breadfruit – was a nickname used by his mother since his childhood.

Buju Banton: Authentic to the Roots

“...I'm an unchained spirit, a free spirit, and my intention is to make sure this one goes out across the world...”

It's not easy becoming a music icon. Not only would one have to actually make it into a musical niche, but a distinction with one's contemporaries must also be earned. Yet Buju Banton was able to make all that for himself, and more. With his gravelly vocals and rags-to-spotlight story, he is often hailed as one of the most authentic storytellers around. And he has quite the story to tell.

Buju Banton's Beginnings

Born Mark Anthony Myrie near Kingston, Jamaica in 1973, he grew up in conditions that were less than favorable for the aspiring musician. He was the last of fifteen children, all from their market vendor mother and tile factory worker father. Buju – a local term for breadfruit – was a nickname used by his mother since his childhood.

Growing up in his poor community, he would often watch the public performances of artists from the area. One day, at the age of 12, he picked up a microphone and deejayed (chanted) for himself, and he came to be known in the area as Gargamel. The next year, he met music producer Robert French and a single, The Ruler, came out in 1987.

His first single led to a string of collaborations with numerous other producers, which yielded his first controversial song, Boom Bye Bye, which called for the murder of all homosexuals by shooting or burning. This was a mindset that he would carry with him for the rest of his career.

Buju Banton: Big Man on the Scene

In 1991, he joined forces with Penthouse Records under Donovan Germain. This led to the release of Love Me Browning and Bogle in 1992, both of which dominated Jamaican radio. That same year, he outdid fellow reggae artist Bob Marley for the greatest number of #1 singles released in a year. Boom Bye Bye also unexpectedly came out that year, an incident that sparked outrage and led to the cancellation of public performances.

The next year, Myrie transferred his Buju Banton act to major label Mercury, starting with the socially conscious Voice of Jamaica in 1993. From Deportees to his own remix of Tribal War, Myrie provided commentary on the situation that was 1993 Jamaica. It paid off, as Voice of Jamaica won several awards in that year alone.

1995's 'Til Shiloh featured even more socially aware lyrics combined with a studio band, which was unusual for his genre at the time. Singles like Untold Stories and Murderer became classics with which no public performance is complete. Because of both his new sound and anti-violence lyrics, singles from 'Til Shiloh are regarded as some of his best.

Inna Heights in 1997 followed, giving him international exposure.

Unchained Spirit came out in 2000, and fans and critics alike noted a radically different style in the album. Friends for Life in 2003 attracted a similar commentary, only with more observations on the politically tinged lyrics. Critically acclaimed Too Bad followed in 2006, which was a return to his previous style. This was continued in his latest album, Rasta Got Soul, released in April 2009.

Did You Know That...

...his social views are often criticized? Despite issuing apologies for his views in the past, Buju Banton maintains a firmly anti-homosexual stand. On these, he has stated that “there is no end to the war between me and faggot.”

...he began early with his anti-homosexual views? Boom Bye Bye was written when he was just 15.

...his music was extremely influential in Jamaica? When he released anti-violence tracks Murder and Untold Stories, there was a decline in the air time of violent songs in dance halls and a spike of other artists also denouncing violence.

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