Before Buju Banton’s arrest at his Tamarac home in Florida on cocaine and gun charges on December 10, 2009, he appeared to be at the height of his career, with tour dates booked around the world. The Guardian even referred to Buju Banton as “the most famous Jamaican artist whose name isn’t Marley,” although 28 of his shows were cancelled between 2005 and 2009 due to lobbying by gay rights groups against homophobic lyrics in his 1992 song “Boom Bye Bye.”
Buju was on tour promoting his ninth studio album Rasta Got Soul, released April 21, 2009, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart when a chance encounter changed the course of his rising stardom and popularity in the US.
The album was held off the top spot by “Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band” by the American reggae band Easy Star All-Stars. Recordings played in the courtroom captured Buju expressing frustration over his financial struggles and seeing the cocaine deal as a potential solution.
Seated beside informant Alex Johnson, who had been paid over US$50,000 by the DEA, during a flight from Madrid to Miami four months after the album’s release in July 2009. He gave Alex his real name as well as his moniker before leaving the flight, Johnson testified in court.
Justice Department
Later, Buju expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you very much for this opportunity, man.” In the car, he elaborated on his financial difficulties, acknowledging, “Oh, you have given me the chance to be myself again.”
Banton, the father of 17 children, at 36-year-old had already toured the world several times, including a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden a year before. He had also signed several record deals with US labels for the release of critically acclaimed albums like “Til Shiloh,” “Inna Heights” with Mercury Records, Tommy Boy, Polygram, Island Records, and VP Records.
The Gargamel’s staunch supporters vehemently argue that he fell victim to entrapment orchestrated by a U.S. government informant. This narrative gained traction before unsealed undercover footage shed light on the case, revealing discussions between Banton and the informant about drug deals. While Banton adamantly maintains his innocence, citing his mere “running [of] my mouth,” the recorded conversations contributed to his conviction on a charge of conspiring to buy more than five kilograms of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer.
The pivotal moment came during a rendezvous in a Sarasota warehouse owned by the police department, captured on surveillance cameras, where Banton tasted cocaine—a decision he later regretted.
“I don’t know why I did that,” Banton told the court about tasting the cocaine. “If I could rewind the hands of time, I wouldn’t have done that. But I did.”
Even with the sworn admission, he insisted that he was framed by the government.
“The way they [the government] framed it, they made me look like a drug dealer. But that’s not who I am,” the Driver singer clapped back during the trial. “I’m a musician, not a criminal.”
The towering figure in the world of reggae music was incarcerated in a U.S. prison for nearly a decade.
While he was away, the faces and sound of reggae have changed dramatically in the U.S.
with Ineffable Music and Live Nation promoting most of the multi-city reggae tours with white American bands like Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, and more recently the Marley brothers Damian and Stephen, following the success of the Bob Marley: One Love movie.
There are more than 50 active American reggae bands and Ineffable’s top act Stick Figure, is the highest selling reggae artist alive in the US for the last 5 years according to Billboard Year-End artists and albums charts (2019-2023).
Buju’s last two albums, released 2020 and 2023, did not make a dent in US consumption. The latter titled Born For Greatness never made the top 10 Billboard Reggae Albums charts at all. he is not alone as the majority of Jamaican reggae albums released over the last 10 years have experienced low sales according to the book Reggae By The Numbers.
Banton’s catalog is revered in North America, with hits like Champion which was certified Gold in Canada last year, “Pull It Up” and “Bonafide Love” dominating airwaves. His unwavering support extends beyond his fanbase, with fellow music icons Rihanna and DJ Khaled rallying behind him even as he was absent from the American music scene.
“The truth will come to light eventually. I have faith in that,” Banton had asserted in a letter from prison. “My music speaks for itself, and it reflects my values and beliefs. I have never strayed from that path.”
After several sold out dates in the Jamaica, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe, Buju Banton returns, as a Def Jam Records artist to the US via private jet today (May 2, 2024) and there are already calls for him to announce a tour by his fans. His last performance on US soil was the Buju Banton and Friends fundraising concert on July 16, 2011, while he was on bail, one month before the start of the trial.
