The official music video for Skrillex & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Make It Bun Dem” has surpassed 600 million views on YouTube. The video released September 6, 2012 reached the mark on October 9, 2023 is Damian’s first song to reach the milestone and Skrillex’s third.
Directed by Tony Truand, the visuals illustrates a conflict between citizens losing their homes and an officer enforcing evictions to benefit a real estate developer. Filmed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, the video features a powerful narrative and includes a ceremonial dance by a young Native American, played by Zakiah Phillips.
The Dubstep single which peaked at No. 1 on the now discontinued Billboard Reggae Digital Singles Chart was released on May 1, 2012 on Ubisoft Entertainment SA and was originally an instrumental titled “Rudeboy Bass,” was first performed live without lyrics. Fans coined the name “Rudeboy Bass” due to its incorporation of the sample “Rudeboy bass, mash up the place!”
In early 2012, the track evolved when vocals from Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock” were added. Rather than releasing it as a remix, Damian opted to record original vocals, premiering the new version at Surrender Night Club in Las Vegas on January 21, 2012. The finalized version, officially named “Make It Bun Dem,” was shared on Damian’s SoundCloud page on April 16, 2012, with its release date pushed to May 1, 2012.
“Make It Bun Dem” is featured in the video game Far Cry 3 during the mission “Kick the Hornet’s Nest.” An EP titled “Make It Bun Dem After Hours” was released in 2012, featuring remixes by artists such as Culprate, Brodinski, and David Heartbreak.
The song peaked at No. 27 in Australia, No. 34 in Austria and on the Canadian Hot 100. In Belgium it peaked at 15, #87 in France, #16 in New Zealand, #61 in Slovakia, #48 in Sweden. On the UK Dance chart it peaked at 14 while in the UK’s Official Singles Chart it peaked at 58 and No. 6 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
The single is certified Platinum as of Agist 4, 2017 in the US by the Recoding Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for selling 1,000,000 units in streams and sales. In Canada, Italy and it earned Gold status for selling 40,000 and 15,000 units sold respectivley. It is BritCertified Silver for reaching 200,000 units. While in Denmark, the song earned a Gold certification based on 900,000 streaming units.
achieved chart success in various countries, and its impact was further recognized through certifications. The song’s use in Far Cry 3 and its subsequent remix EP contributed to its widespread appeal.
