Gargamel Music | Buju Banton



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::: Timeline :::

1973
Born Mark Anthony Myrie on July 15, he is the youngest in a family of 15 children. The family traces its roots to the Maroons, African slaves brought to Jamaica by the Spanish in the 1600s, who rebelled against slavery. Grew up in Barbican, a small ghetto on the outskirts of Kingston; A chubby child, he gets the nickname Buju, a Maroon word for breadfruit, from his mother.

1985
Takes nickname and combines it with Banton, the name of one of his favorite Jamaican artists, Burro Banton. Banton means Knight Commander of lyrical distinction. He begins to learn the craft of DJing.

During this time Buju was struggling -- going from studio to studio and from producer to producer. He eventually tracks songs for various producers who pay him a fee, and soon landed on the dancehall circuit via Rambo International, sparring with entertainers like Clement Irie, Flourgon and others.

1986
DJ Clement Irie introduces the 13-year-old to Robert French. Later that year, French produces the youngster's first recorded single “The Ruler.” His next single, "I Got To Leave You," soon follows.

1987
Buju works with Winston Riley who remixes several of his songs. He records songs for Patrick Roberts at Shocking Vibes and for Bobby Digital at Digital B.

1988
Records tracks for Clifton “Specialist” Dillon’s Shang label, including the now infamous “Boom Bye Bye.”

1989
Meets up-and-coming producer Dave Kelly, from Donovan Germain’s Penthouse label, and is signed. His first two singles for Penthouse are “Man Fi Dead” and “Jackie and Joyce.”

1990
Although signed to Penthouse, Buju releases a string of one-off singles elsewhere: “Stamina Daddy” for Producer Winston “Technique” Riley, along with “Big Up,” a duet with Don T. and “Bring You Body Come to Me” with veteran singer Frankie Paul.

1991
Records his first major song for Penthouse, “Love Mi Browning,” followed up with “Love Black Woman” (Riddim International). Both are huge hits and earn him the reputation of being a charismatic ladies’ man. Buju marks his debut performance before an international audience at Jamaica’s Sting in 1991.

The artist further develops his sound and signs a major contract with Mercury Records in the US and drops a series of hits primarily for the Penthouse label, including “Woman No Fret,” “Who Say” (with Beres Hammond). Releases “Bogle” (Island); “Gold Spoon” (Techniques); “Yardie” (Xterminator); “Good Looking Gal” (Digital B.)

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