Buju Banton & Stephen Marley: Roots and Rhymes

About Buju Banton: Buju Banton is unequivocally one of the world’s greatest dancehall/reggae artists. The man born in Salt Lane, Kingston as Mark Anthony Myrie, is also known to the world as living legend, Grammy winner, abolitionist and voice for oppressed people around the world. For over three decades, he dominated the reggae/dancehall sub-genre with iconic collaborations (Beres Hammond, Stephen Marley, Dave Kelly, Sly & Robbie, Bobby Digital, Steely & Cleevie, just to name a few), lyricism superior to peer and a ministry committed to liberating the minds of oppressed people. The father often sons and eight daughters has taught the world true romance (“Who Say”), radical discernment (“Hills And Valleys”), perseverance (“Not An Easy Road”), and how to bogle (“Bogle”). Buju was raised by two hardworking parents, the youngest sibling behind 16 daughters. His diligence, charm and charisma were passed down by his father, a factory worker. He inherited his entrepreneurial mind and passionate spirit from his mother, a market vendor with ancestry linked to the West African slave revolters, Maroons. Mama nicknamed her chubby baby after the Jamaican breadfruit Buju. Banton––representative of a fierce deejay––was later adopted by her son. As a youth, Buju studied reggae greats such as Major Worries, Admiral Bailey, Shabba Ranks, Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie. He often broke curfew to beg either older deejays for a couple minute son the mic or security guards for entry into studios like Technique Records and Penthouse Recordings. The latter studio is where 16-year-old Buju recorded his first song, “The Ruler.” Recognized as a reggae prodigy, he was commissioned by DJ sets Rambo International, Sweet Love sound system (owned by Flourgon) to DJ for $100 a weekend. As young Banton’s hustle and connections grew, he linked up with a future great Capleton and began demanding up to $500 per dubplate. The early nineties is when Buju exploded onto the scene, helping catapult…