Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie is, as his 1993 album states, the 'Voice of Jamaica'. He emerged at dancehall's turning point in the late 1980s into early1990s, when beats and stars changed. The Gargamel, as Buju is also known, was in the thick of things withStamina Daddy, voice sounding unlike his now unmistakeable gravelly voice. But it was the colourful (literally) pair of Browning andBlack Womanwhich set Buju off to roaring start.

In the early 1990s he could do no wrong. Gol' Spoon, Deportee, Bonafide Love(with Wayne Wonder), How Maasa God Worl' A Run, Good Good, Gal Fe Beg, Mine Behind The Wine and Grudge were among the songs that shook dancehall.

not abandoning dancehall

In 1995 Buju released the Til Shiloh album after turning to Rastafari, presenting his rough-hewn, roots reggae and folk singing side on I Wanna Be Lovedand Untold Stories. It was clear that he was not abandoning dancehall, Champion included on the landmark set.

So it has been since, a balance of roots reggae and straight-ahead dancehall, bucking the singles trend with album releases. Inna Heights (1997), Unchained Spirit (2000) and Rasta Got Soul (2009) are among the full-length sets. 'Too Bad' (2006) was an undiluted dancehall set which earned Buju a Grammy nomination.

Driver, on the 'Taxi' rhythm, is a remarkable high point, leading to his special, full set appearance at Sting 2006. Buju and singer Beres Hammond (A Little More Time, Pull it Up) have collaborated intermittently to tremendous results.

The gay community has consistently protested Boom Bye Bye, recorded when Buju was 15 years old. In 2009, Buju was apprehended on cocaine charges in the US. Shortly after winning his first Grammy Award with Before the Dawn, he was convicted in February 2011 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Link to Buju Banton at Rebel Salute 2005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm3Ea5r4xkk