Buju Banton is one of the most influential and controversial figures in reggae music. Born Mark Anthony Myrie in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1973, he rose to fame in the late 1980s with his dancehall style, which blended Jamaican patois, Rastafarian themes, and social commentary. He earned the nickname “Buju” from his childhood love of breadfruit, and “Banton” from a Jamaican word for a storyteller.

His career has been marked by both artistic achievements and personal controversies. He has released 12 studio albums, four of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards. Some of his most famous songs include “Champion”, “Untold Stories”, “Destiny”, “Wanna Be Loved”, “Not an Easy Road”, and “Blessed”. He has collaborated with artists such as Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Morgan Heritage, and John Legend, creating some of the most memorable hits in reggae history. He has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the poor and oppressed in Jamaica and beyond, supporting causes such as education, health care, and anti-violence.

However, Banton has also faced criticism and legal troubles for some of his lyrics and actions. He has been accused of promoting violence, homophobia, and drug use in some of his songs, such as “Boom Bye Bye”, which advocated the killing of gay people, “Murderer”, which blamed the death of his friend on informers, and “Driver A”, which glorified drug trafficking. He has been banned from performing in several countries, including the UK, Canada, and the US, where he faced protests and boycotts from human rights groups. He has also served seven years in a US prison for his involvement in a cocaine deal in 2009, which he claimed was a setup by a paid informant.

He was released from prison in 2018 and returned to Jamaica, where he was greeted by thousands of fans who celebrated his freedom. He resumed his musical career with a series of concerts across the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and North America, dubbed the “Long Walk to Freedom Tour”. He also released his first album in a decade, Upside Down 2020, which featured guest appearances by Pharrell Williams, Stephen Marley, Stefflon Don, and others. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its diversity of styles and themes.

Banton’s legacy as a reggae icon is undeniable, but so is his controversial reputation. He has been praised as a voice of the voiceless, but also condemned as a promoter of hate. He has been hailed as a musical genius, but also questioned as a moral role model. He has been a source of inspiration for many reggae artists and fans around the world, but also a cause of division for some who disagree with his views and actions. He is Buju Banton: a complex and contradictory figure who has left an indelible mark on reggae music and Jamaican culture.