Buju Banton

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Born 15 July 1973.

Buju Banton Lex Van Rossen/Redferns

Biography

Buju Banton (born Mark Anthony Myrie 15 July 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician. Banton has recorded pop and dance songs, as well as songs dealing with sociopolitical topics.

He released early dancehall singles in 1991, but came to prominence in 1992 with two albums, including Mr. Mention, which became the best-selling album in Jamaican history upon its release. Banton signed with major label Mercury Records and released Voice of Jamaica the following year. By the mid-1990s, Banton had converted to the Rastafari faith, and his music undertook a more spiritual tone. His 2010 album Before the Dawn won Best Reggae Album at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

Banton gained international notoriety early on in his career for the anti-gay track "Boom Bye Bye", as well as for his 2009 arrest and conviction in the United States on drug conspiracy and firearms charges, for which he is currently serving a ten-year federal prison sentence. He is scheduled to be released January 2019.

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Links & Information

Latest News Stories

News from the BBC

  1. Buju Banton jailed for 10 years

    Thu 23 Jun 2011 14:57

    Grammy-winning reggae star Buju Banton is sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role...
  2. Reggae star Banton free on bail

    Thu 11 Nov 2010 09:54

    Reggae star Buju Banton is granted bail by a Florida immigration court while he awaits...
  3. Buju Banton on US drug charge

    Fri 8 Jan 2010 11:08

    Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton pleads not guilty to a drug charge in a Florida...

BBC Reviews

  1. Friends For Life 2003

    Review of Friends For Life

    Reviewed by Keysha Davis

    Today we find him a reflective and socially conscious artist, urging his listeners to...
  2. ‘Til Shiloh 1995

    Review of ‘Til Shiloh

    Reviewed by Angus Taylor

    A very listenable landmark from a controversial figure in Jamaican music.

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