Buju Banton

Buju Banton
Banton in 2006
Banton in 2006
Background information
Birth nameMark Anthony Myrie
Also known asGargamel
Born (1973-07-15) 15 July 1973 (age 51)
Kingston, Jamaica
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active
  • 1987–2011
  • 2018–present
Labels

Mark Anthony Myrie (born 15 July 1973),[2] known professionally as Buju Banton, is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He is one of the most significant and well-regarded artists in Jamaican music.[3][4][5] Banton has collaborated with many international artists, including those in the hip hop, Latin and punk rock genres, as well as the sons of Bob Marley.[6]

Banton released a number of dancehall singles as early as 1987 but came to prominence in 1992 with two albums, Stamina Daddy and Mr. 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 in Jamaica, previously held by Bob Marley and the Wailers.[8] He signed with the major label Mercury Records and released Voice of Jamaica in 1993. By the mid-1990s, Banton's music became more influenced by his Rastafari faith, as heard on the seminal albums 'Til Shiloh and Inna Heights.

In 2009, he was arrested for cocaine trafficking charges in the United States, his first trial resulting in a hung jury. His 2010 album Before the Dawn won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 53rd 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] home to Jamaica.

  1. ^ "Buju Banton Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9
  3. ^ MacLeod, Erin (7 December 2018). "'Man is a king': controversial star Buju Banton comes home to Jamaica". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  4. ^ Karmini, Faith (9 December 2018). "Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton released from US prison". Cnn.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  5. ^ Iannelli, Jerry (7 December 2018). "Reggae star Buju Banton released from prison after Florida drug case". Miami New Times. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Biography". Bujubanton.com. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  7. ^ Meschino, Patricia (18 December 2018). "Buju Banton to Return With The Long Walk to Freedom Concert In 2019". Billboard.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  8. ^ Arnold, Erik K. (6 October 2006). "Reggae star as lightning rod". SFGate.com. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Buju Banton To Be Deported Back To Jamaica In 2019". Caribbeantoday.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015.