Biography
Mark Anthony Myrie, professionally known as Buju Banton and also called Gargamel, was born on July 15, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica. He began his music career as a teenager, recording his first single "The Ruler" in 1987 at age 16 after being introduced to producer Robert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie. Throughout the late 1980s, he released several dancehall singles that gradually built his reputation in the Jamaican music scene.
Banton achieved massive commercial and critical success in 1992 with the release of two albums: Stamina Daddy and Mr. Mention. The latter became the best-selling album in Jamaican history upon its release and featured revolutionary dancehall classics including "Batty Rider," "Man Fe Dead," "Love Me Brownin," and "Love Black Woman." That same year, he broke Bob Marley and the Wailers' record for the most No. 1 singles in Jamaica, establishing himself as one of the most popular musicians in Jamaican history. In 1991, he joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Records label and began a productive partnership with producer Dave Kelly. Banton continued to elevate his artistry throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing acclaimed albums such as Inna Heights (1997), which substantially increased his international audience through roots-tinged tracks like "Destiny" and "Hills and Valleys," and Before the Dawn (2010), which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.
In 2009, Banton was arrested on cocaine trafficking charges in the United States, with his first trial resulting in a hung jury. He was convicted in 2011 and imprisoned until his release on December 7, 2018, from McRae Correctional Institution, after which he was deported to Jamaica. Upon his release, he launched The Long Walk to Freedom tour, performing his first concert at the National Stadium in Kingston in March 2019, which attracted over 30,000 people. He returned to recording and released new singles including "Country for Sale" (2019), which topped the iTunes Reggae Chart, and "Trust" (2019), which peaked at number one on the Billboard Reggae Digital Song Sales chart. His partnership with Roc Nation in 2019 led to his 13th studio album, Upside Down 2020, featuring collaborations with John Legend and Pharrell.
Fun Facts
- Banton established his own recording studio on Red Hills Road in Kingston, Jamaica, and created the Gargamel Music imprint to release his own work and support aspiring young artists.
- In 1992, the same year he achieved massive success, Banton broke Bob Marley's long-standing record for the most No. 1 singles in Jamaica, a significant milestone in reggae history.
- His 2019 single "Country for Sale" topped the iTunes Reggae Chart within minutes of its announcement, demonstrating his enduring popularity even after his seven-year prison hiatus.
- Banton's first concert after his December 2018 release from prison at the National Stadium in Kingston attracted over 30,000 people, reflecting his iconic status in Jamaica.
Associated Acts
- Jamaica United
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Robert Ffrench - Producer who introduced Banton to the music industry and produced his first single ("The Ruler" (1987)) [1986-1987]
- Donovan Germain - Label owner of Penthouse Records who signed Banton and provided production support throughout his career (Multiple albums and productions at Penthouse Records and later Donovan Germain's recording studio) [1991-present]
- Dave Kelly - Production mastermind and key collaborator who defined Banton's breakthrough sound and worked with him across multiple decades (Mr. Mention (1992), Before the Dawn (2010), "Trust" (2019)) [1991-2019]
Key Collaborators
- Beres Hammond - Reggae artist featured on collaborative tracks (Inna Heights (1997))
- Toots Hibbert - Legendary reggae artist and collaborator (Inna Heights (1997))
- Wyclef Jean - Hip-hop artist and producer who contributed to Banton's roots reggae work (Rasta Got Soul (2009))
- Fat Joe - American rap star with whom Banton collaborated (Various collaborations) [1990s-2000s]
- Rancid - Rock band that collaborated with Banton (Various collaborations) [1990s-2000s]
- DJ Khaled - Contemporary collaborator who featured Banton on his album (Father of Asahd (2019, two appearances))
- John Legend - Contemporary artist featured on Banton's album (Upside Down 2020 (2020))
- Pharrell - Contemporary producer and artist featured on Banton's album (Upside Down 2020 (2020))
Artists Influenced
- Multiple aspiring youths - Banton established his own Gargamel Music imprint to give aspiring youths a chance to be heard and released their work (Gargamel Music label releases) [1990s-present]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #dancehall, #jamaican, #reggae
References
Heard on WWOZ
Buju Banton has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.