Buju Banton is unequivocally one of the world’s greatest dancehall/reggae artists. The man born in Salt Lane, Kingston as Mark Anthony Myrie, is also known to the world as a living legend, Grammy winner, abolitionist, and voice for oppressed people around the world. For over three decades, he dominated the reggae/dancehall sub-genre with iconic collaborations (Beres Hammond, Stephen Marley, Dave Kelly, Sly & Robbie, Bobby Digital, Steely & Cleevie, just to name a few), lyricism superior to peers, and a ministry committed to liberating the minds of oppressed people. The father of ten sons and eight daughters has taught the world true romance (“Who Say”), radical discernment (“Hills And Valleys”), perseverance (“Not An Easy Road”), and how to bogle (“Bogle”).
The early nineties were when Buju exploded onto the scene, helping catapult dancehall into a global force. Buju’s first underground hit to cross over, “Stamina Daddy,” became the title track for his 1992 debut album (the LP was later repackaged and retitled Quick). Buju’s massive follow-up, Mr. Mention, which wrought classics like “Batty Rider” and “Love Me Brownin’,” dropped the same year, allowing the rookie sensation to break Bob Marley’s record for #1 hits.
The man also known as Gargamel spent the next two decades releasing sterling album after album––Voice of Jamaica (“A Little More Time,” “Deportees”) to the certified Gold’Til Shiloh (“Champion,” “It’s All Over,” “’Til I’m Laid To Rest”), before a succession of Grammy nominated projects preceded Before the Dawn, the 2011 Grammy winner for Best Reggae Album. A new chapter began for Buju in 2018, when, after a seven-year hiatus, he appeared twice on megastar DJ Khaled’s album Father of Asahd.
His latest album, Too Too Bad, also ushers in a new era for Buju’s very own label, Gargamel Music. After decades of distribution partnerships with companies like Polygram, Mercury, and Roc Nation, Buju is now completely independent. His philanthropic endeavors will only reap more blessings. His Buju Banton Foundation helps shelter over 120 Jamaican boys in foster care (ages 3-18). His 2019 “I Am A Jamaican” campaign raised funds for 18-year-olds who age out of the system (Upon leaving foster care, each will receive stipends for housing and proper clothes to pursue employment.) The following year, Buju won a MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award for Best Reggae Act. In 2025, his contribution to Bugle’s “Thank You Lord,” alongside Damien Marley, earned him a Caribbean Music Award for Reggae Collaboration of the Year.
Buju Banton is in the midst of a blessed revival. He is reinvested in the sovereignty of his music, brand, and business. After becoming the first dancehall/reggae artist to sell out the UBS Arena in 2024, he is ready for global touring as well as a return to the continent of Africa. Wherever on God’s Earth the great Gargamel decides to carry his message, the mission will remain as sturdy as it stood in 1992: “Reggae music is to uplift, educate, and eradicate negativity from the minds of the people globally,” says Banton. “I will never let that change.”
Stephen Marley is an eight-time GRAMMY Award–winning recording artist, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. His career includes collaborations with artists such as Lauryn Hill, Pitbull, Shaggy, Nas, and Erykah Badu, as well as extensive work alongside his family.
His most recent album, Old Soul, was released in September 2023 via Tuff Gong Collective/UMe/Ghetto Youths International. The acoustic-based project spans multiple genres and cultural influences and features guest appearances from Bob Weir, Eric Clapton, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton, and Slightly Stoopid.
In addition to his prolific recording work, Stephen served as musical director for the feature film Bob Marley: One Love (2024). The film received multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, and its soundtrack, Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film (Deluxe), won the GRAMMY Award for Best Reggae Album in 2025.
Stephen Marley continues to tour extensively throughout the US and beyond. Recent highlights include a special Bob Marley 80th Birthday performance on Stick Figure’s U.S. Summer Tour, headlining dates and the 25+ date Traffic Jam North American Tour with Damian Marley—including performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl—and The Marley Brothers’ Legacy Tour, marking the first national U.S. shed tour by the brothers in over two decades.
