Buju Banton is one of the most popular and richest Reggae Singer who was born on July 15, 1973 in Kingston, Kingston Parish, Jamaica. He is a reggae musician best known for his two-decade long career. His arrests for drug distribution, gun possession and other offenses landed him in prison. His album Before the Dawn won the Best Reggae Album award at the 53rd Grammy Awards, just one day before his trial.
His album Unchained Spirit featured Stephen Marley, Tim Armstrong.
As a youngster, Buju would often watch his favourite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls in Denham Town. At the age of 12, he picked up the microphone for himself and began toasting under the moniker of Gargamel, working with the Sweet Love and Rambo Mango sound systems. In 1986, he was introduced to producer Robert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie, and his first single, “The Ruler” was released not long afterward in 1987. This led to recording sessions with producers such as Patrick Roberts, Bunny Lee, Winston Riley, and Digital B.
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. That year he also broke the record for #1 singles in Jamaica, previously held by Bob Marley & The Wailers. 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.
Mark Anthony Myrie was born in Salt Lane, Kingston. His mother was a street vendor, and his father was an employee. He is the father of fifteen children, and has purchased homes in Jamaica and Tamarac (Florida).
