by Howard Campbell
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Released in an era considered by many the golden age of dancehall, Voice of Jamaica, Buju Banton’s second album, celebrated its 30th anniversary on August 3.
The 15-song set was released by Mercury/Polygram Records. It contains several hit songs such as Deportees (Things Change), Operation Ardent, Willy (Don’t be Silly) and A Little More Time, a collaboration with Beres Hammond.
Donovan Germain, Buju’s mentor and manager, was one of several producers who worked with him on Voice of Jamaica. One year earlier, the gangly deejay erupted with Love me Browning, an ode to light-skinned black women, which was a dancehall anthem.
“We just sat down and wrote some good songs. We recorded about 20-something songs which is a standard we had used before and I think it worked,” Germain told South Florida Caribbean News.
In addition to Germain, Buju collaborated with Steely and Clevie and Bobby Digital on Voice of Jamaica. They were the hottest producers in Jamaica at the time, churning out hit singles by acts like Shabba Ranks, Garnet Silk and Cocoa Tea.
Although Voice of Jamaica had the quality to reach the American mainstream, there was a major obstacle. In 1992, Buju had released Boom Bye Bye, a anti-gay track that became a monster seller in the Jamaican underground.
As Buju’s status grew, the song caught the attention of gay rights groups in the United States, who demanded he and other Jamaican artists denounce their perceived aggression against homosexuals.
“It hurt it (the album) because everyone was focused on Boom Bye Bye. There was a backlash (led by gay rights groups) and that affected promotions. It never got the justice it deserved,” said Germain.
The gay lobby was still in force two years later when Buju Banton released ‘Til Shiloh, an epic roots album that defined his new-found Rastafarian beliefs. That set was released by Loose Cannon Records through Island Records.
Inna Heights, released in 1997, was another strong effort. Buju Banton won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2011 for Before The Dawn.
Born For Greatness, his latest album, is scheduled for release in September. It will be Buju’s second album since being released from Federal prison in the United States on drug-related charges in December 2018.
