Buju Banton and Friends Live In Hartford Connecticut

On Oct. 18, the Connecticut Expo Center is hosting Reggae Fest 2008. The lineup features Buju Banton and Tony Rebel, two Rastafarian artists that helped shape the face of today's dancehall music, and an up-and-coming female Rasta artist, Queen Ifrica, whose bold musical statements have caused a stir in the international music scene.

Today, Buju Banton is considered an icon and legend in the reggae/dancehall genre. With a head full of long, powerful dreadlocks and a voice rougher than gravel, Buju Banton's Rasta-tinged lyrics influenced a generation of artists and injected consciousness into a genre that was full of violent lyrics.

Banton, a nickname for a storyteller, also took the name in honor of Burro Banton, whose rough voice he emulated. Although Buju was heavily influenced by Burro, he wasn't the only one who shaped the young DJ.

Banton caught the attention of major record labels who were trying to tap into the dancehall scene after the success of Shabba Ranks and, in 1993, he was signed to Mercury Records and released "Voice of Jamaica." The album included dancehall anthems "No Respect," "A Little More Time," and the dancehall/hip-hop hybrids "Wicked Act" (alongside Busta Rhymes), and "Make My Day." That album also included "Deportees," "Operation Ardent," and the safe-sex number "Willy Don't Be Silly." Following the deaths of dancehall artists Panhead and Dirtsman, Banton released his most socially conscious tune, "Murderer," which signaled his conversion to the Rasta faith.

His first album as a Rasta, Til Shiloh, was released in 1995 and is considered at home in the upper echelon of roots albums like Bob Marley's Catch a Fire, Peter Tosh's Legalize It, and Johnny Osbourne's Truth and Rights. The follow-up to that album, 1997's Inner Heights, also became a classic. His conversion and the power of his music sparked a Rasta revolution in the dancehall world, as it seemed that every day new Rasta artists were emerging. Banton opened the doors for other artists like Capleton, Anthony B, Determine, and Sizzla, who followed after him.

Although he has had his share of success, controversy has followed him from his early days stemming from a tune titled "Boom Bye Bye," which many deemed homophobic. In 2007, Banton, along with Sizzla, Capleton and Beenie Man signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, put together by the Stop Murder Music campaign in England. By signing, each artist pledged that they would no longer perform songs that are considered "homophobic." But the controversy remains.

The Legend performs live this weekend in Hartford Connecticut.


The Reggae News Agency

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