Uncompromising expression comes naturally to Buju Banton. Born Mark Anthony Myrie on July 15, 1973, the youngest of 15 children born to a higgler (market vendor) mother, he is a descendant of the Maroons, the fierce freedom fighters who fended off attacks from the British colonial regiments by escaping into Jamaica’s dense mountainous areas. Six years after he began deejaying professionally, his career accelerated into high gear with the 1991 release of Mr. Mention; propelled by the overwhelming popularity of the hits “Big It Up” and “Batty Rider,” in 1992 Buju broke Bob Marley’s record for the most number one singles in one year on the Jamaican charts.

At just 20 years old Buju’s 1993 release Voice of Jamaica (Mercury Records) was lauded for its topical lyrics as exemplified in the safe sex anthem “Willy Don’t Be Silly.” At this time, Buju also demonstrated that an artist’s responsibility to his fans and wider community transcends the performance stage: in 1994 he launched Operation Willy, a nonprofit organization run in conjunction with JAS (Jamaican AIDS Support) which promotes safe sex education while assisting those afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

On the musical side he remained equally progressive releasing the Grammy nominated Til Shiloh (Loose Cannon) in 1995, which Rolling Stone magazine cited as one of the best albums of the 1990s. …Shiloh delivered a well-balanced mix of conventional reggae rhythms and computerized dancehall’s combustible energy, while the tracks “Murderer” and “Untold Stories” played major roles in redirecting dancehall lyrics away from x-rated and violent imagery and towards positive themes.

Buju displayed even greater versatility on 1997’s “Inna Heights” his gruff sing-jay approach deftly applied to everything from African choral chants (“Afrikan Pride”) to shuffling ska (“Small Axe”). His 1999 release Unchained Spirit boasted an array of guest artists including the alternative rock band Rancid who revved up the punky reggae party vibes of “No More Misty Days.” The deejay’s 2003 offering “Friends For Life” (Atlantic/VP Records) featured the African percussion dominated “Up Ye Mighty Race” inspired by the teachings of Marcus Garvey and a triumphant return to his dancehall origins with the ingenious anti-gun anthem “Mr. Nine.”

The unbridled utterances that are synonymous with the Jamaican dancehall, and the pivotal role Buju’s incomparable vocals, skillful story telling and insightful observations have played in dancehall’s international renown are fully celebrated throughout “Too Bad”. Sure to please his longtime fans as well as recent converts, Too Bad is particularly gratifying to Buju because it is the first full-length release on his own Gargamel label.

“In music one must become more entrepreneurial in understanding the foundation of the business and the engine of it,” observes Buju who was voted Comeback Artiste of the Year in 2005 by the Jamaica Observer newspaper based on the excellence of his live performances and his succession of hardcore dancehall hits. “My company has been in inception for nine years so this is a blessing. I give thanks to the Most High God and I hope people will gravitate towards this music as they have towards my previous work.”

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