Buju Banton Reveals Why Dancehall Isn’t Mainstream
Buju Banton expressed that Dancehall is not mainstream because the genre is free of deceit.
During a recent interview with Drewbyrd, Sean G and Shacia Pรคyne Marley on the debut episode of SHABBAAAAA SOUND RADIO on Apple Music, the Grammy Award-winning musician discussed topical topics ranging from his thoughts on the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, his early years in music, his growth as an artist, his place in popular music today and his upcoming album โUpside Down.โ
Quarantining in his home of Kingston, Jamaica, Buju Banton executed the session via FaceTime.
Buju Banton Speaks on Why Dancehall and Reggae Isnโt Mainstream
During their conversation, Buju explained how the authenticity of Dancehall/Reggae music keeps it from grasping the mainstreamโs attention.
โWe donโt want to tell the people a lie. We have to tell the people the truth, and that isย reggaeย music,โ Buju said.
โThatโs why we donโt get the mainstream appeal and the mainstream behind us, because our music is a music aimed at uplifting something inside of you, not outside of you. Realize what even [Bob Marley] was telling them, what [Peter Tosh]ย was telling them,โ he continued.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, noted that mainstream music and gatekeepers have disrupted the spiritual connection that people once had when they listened to music, adding that real music helps people to connect with their higher selves.
โAnd they have taken away the connection that we have to the higher power. Theyโre trying to block it. We have to reconnect. And when we reconnect, everything becomes seamless,โ he stated.
Buju Banton Talks Upcoming Album โUpside Downโ
Buju Banton explained his perspective behind his forthcoming album and why the project is called โUpside Down.โย The 20-track album, which will be released on Jay-Zโs Rock Nation imprint and Island Records UK, will benefit music fans by opening their eyes to the truth of the world, according to the โUntold Storyโ singer.
โWhy do I choose a title โUpside Downโ? Well, if I listen to a song with other brethrens of mine, they will say to me, this song is bad. I think the song is good. Most of the things that we talk about, we ascribe a negative connotation to it. Bad becomes good, right becomes wrong. Innocence becomes guilt, guilt becomes innocence. True becomes false, real becomes fake. Up becomes down. And we accept it all. Yes, Iโve been in prison. Thatโs not no
f-ckingsecret, but Iโve come out of prison, find a nation of people sleeping,โ he elaborated.
He said, with his latest piece of musical work, he wants to uplift, educate, and eradicate negativity from his fans but still be entertaining.
โWell, you can expect a whole lot of stuff. I want to uplift the masses with my music, you know. The album contains 20 tracks. Itโs 2020, so it equals a clear vision. Iโm trying to open the masses eyes. Itโs my offering, coming from a place of peace. No anger, no resent, just peace because we have to be the change we seek enuh. I want to give you diverse music with different production quality, different themes, music for everyone., aimed to uplift, educate and eradicate negativity from the minds of the people while entertaining you,โ he said.
โEverything is upside down like I said to you earlier. Listen, if right is wrong and good is bad, what does that tell you? If justice is tyranny and innocence is guilt and guilt is innocent and fake is real and real is true. And black is blue and blue is red. Everything is upside down. The album, like I said, 20 different tracks. Songs ranging from dancehall to world event. I deal with all kinds of issues. Social issues to geopolitical issuesโฆ Everything,โ he added.
Buju Banton Discusses COVID-19
Buju Banton also discussed the COVID-19 crisis currently affecting the world, speculating that an unnecessary type of hysteria is being created, and urging his fans to stay calm.
โWell things are irie, we [Jamaica] are doing great. And, for sure โฆ Thereโs evidently something going on in the air out there, but thereโs something else going on out there as well. So I mean, everything and everything is everything. I just want the masses to stay calm. No situation lasts forever,โ he said.
โBut ironically, what I find strange is the appetite this particular virus has for celebrities and people in high positions. Itโs alarming to me. You know what I mean?โ he continued.
I canโt get into it because I donโt know why it might be, but I find it really eerie and scary, the level of paranoia Iโve seen being pushed by people who should be affluent, so to speak. Yet the masses are there, who are really suffering, you donโt find that level of hysteria coming from them. So you know, they were there in great fear where no fear was or less they know something that we donโt know,โ he added.
Preview Buju Bantonโs interview or stream the full episode on-demand at SHABBAAAAA SOUND RADIO on Apple Music.
SHABBAAAAA has quickly evolved from an underground dancehall-influenced party to a global movement, with online radio stations based in London and Los Angeles. Now theyโre joining the Apple Music family of shows with SHABBAAAAA SOUND RADIO.
