Banton has recorded pop and dance tunes, along with tunes coping with sociopolitical issues. From the mid-1990s, Banton had converted to the Rastafari religion, and his music undertook a more religious tone. His 2010 record “Before the Dawn” won Best Reggae Album in the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.
Banton attained international notoriety early on in his career for the anti-homosexual track “Boom Bye Bye”, along with for his 2009 arrest and conviction in America on drug conspiracy and firearms charges, that he is serving a ten-year federal prison sentence. He’s scheduled to be released January 2019.
Banton was subsequently transferred to the Pinellas County Jail where he stayed until trial. A six day trial in Tampa, Florida was declared a mistrial on 27 September 2010, subsequent to the jury was not able to reach a unanimous decision. During the trial, audio recordings were presented of Banton as well as a drug dealer-turned-government-informant discussing medications, drug costs and smuggling. Banton was likewise seen on a video recording assembly the informant in a police-managed warehouse tasting cocaine from a kilogram bag. The informant was allegedly paid $50,000 for his work on the case. The vocalist premiered that November on bond, as well as a new trial was scheduled for February 2011 after prosecutors won reindictment. He was represented by well known attorney David Oscar Markus, who hung the initial jury 7-5 for acquittal.
Jahleel Myrie, Jahazeil Myrie, Jodian Myrie, Mark Myrie, Shadai Myrie
Parents
Merlene, Benjamin Myrie
Siblings
Adena Myrie
Nicknames
Buju Baton , Mark Myrie
Awards
Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album
Movies
Fully Loaded Jamaica, Sting 2002
Star Sign
Cancer
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Fact
1
Arrested in December 2009 at his Miama-area home for drug conspiracy and gun charges.
2
His 2010 album "Before the Dawn" won the Grammy award for best reggae album on February 13, 2011.
3
"Buju" in Jamaican slang is a common nickname for chubby children; it means breadfruit. "Banton" is Jamaican slang referring to someone with a superior attitude.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
One Hit Wonderland
2014
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Los Bandoleros
2009
Video short performer: "Bad Man" / writer: "Bad Man" - as Mark Anthony Myrie
Grand Theft Auto IV
2008
Video Game performer: "Driver A" / writer: "Driver A" - as B. Banton