Buju Banton sings about love on ‘Butterflies’

Fans of Buju Banton will be smiling ear to ear to learn that the Gargamel is back to his old ways, musically. His latest song shouts ‘90s dancehall meets the present, and it is sure to keep the dance rocking and give all “gal pickney” nothing but butterflies.

It is common knowledge that the gruff-voiced Banton deejaying on a “wicked” dancehall riddim, toasting the ladies, is pure fire. Just think Love Sponge, the tune on which the Rastaman boldly declares his love for the woman who is so “lovable and kissable ... all di man dem after yuh”. In 2026, he is asking the type of question that back in the day was the perfect “walk out” line in the dance: “Tell mi this gal how yuh skin a glow suh?” Then he delves into Mary Poppins and comes up with that 34-letter, feel-good word to describe her. He declares: “You are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

These gems are packaged in a song titled Butterflies, which the Gargamel drops on Friday. It is his first single from his upcoming VP Records album. Butterflies is an offering that he told The Gleaner will take him “back to the basics”, hinting that there will perhaps be a blend of the dancehall Banton and the equally powerful roots reggae, ‘Til Shiloh, type of Banton.

“The music takes me wherever I need to go,” Banton said in a recent interview with The Gleaner. “This time it’s back to the basics. All processes of creativity are driven by an innate desire to express oneself musically.”

For this album, Banton, who signed a management/partnership with Jay Z’s Roc Nation entertainment company in November 2019, has chosen VP Records as the vessel to carry this message, and he shared why.

“[VP Records] is in line with the vision, given their close relationship with reggae and dancehall. It’s the perfect home for this project,” Banton said.

Speaking on the artiste’s return to the label, VP Records CEO Christopher Chin told The Gleaner, “Buju has always been a defining voice in reggae, and his return to VP Records reinforces our shared commitment to [continue] inspiring our culture that resonates across the globe,” said Chin.

This will be Banton’s first album since the Grammy-nominated Born For Greatness, released in September 2023 on Gargamel Music/Roc Nation. Upside Down (2020) was also released on Gargamel Music/Roc Nation, and it came 10 years after Banton’s Grammy Award-winning Best Reggae Album, Before the Dawn.

Buju Banton, who was born Mark Myrie, began toasting under the moniker ‘Gargamel’ at the age of 12, working with the Sweet Love and Rambo Mango sound systems. His Wikipedia bio states that it was in 1986, some 40 years ago, that he was introduced to producer Robert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie, and his first single, The Ruler, was released one year later. He would later take on the name Buju Banton in tribute to the deejay Burro Banton, whom he admired as a child. In 1991, Banton joined Donovan Germain’s Penthouse Records, which he is still affiliated with to this day.

His debut album, Mr Mention, includes some of his greatest hits, including Bonafide Love, featuring Wayne Wonder, the singer who first brought Banton out as a guest star on the annual Jamaican stage show Sting. Known for his collabs as much as his solo songs, Banton did not hesitate to name the artistes he has teamed with for memorable features.

“Among some of my fave collabs are [songs with] Beres Hammond, Stephen Marley, Wayne Wonder, Garnet Silk, Jamali and Gramps Morgan,” Banton told The Gleaner.

An entertainer who has inspired generations through his music and who has also demonstrated his philanthropy, Banton is crystal clear on what he wants for his legacy.

“I want my legacy to be everlasting,” he said. “I want to be remembered all around the world by who I may have impacted in a positive way through my music and philanthropy. I also want to be remembered for the love and support I have for the island of Jamaica and our culture.”

Acknowledged as an elder statesman in music – even before he celebrated his landmark 50th birthday in 2023 – Banton is well aware of the responsibility that accompanies this title.

“I’m humbled,” Banton asserted. “I was never a fan of most awards and accolades because the same voices that say ‘Yeah’, say ‘Nay’. I man just play my part on the musical stage.”

Butterflies will be officially released on all platforms just after midnight on Friday morning.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com