Buju Banton: podcast appearances and interviews

Mark Anthony Myrie, known as Buju Banton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician recognized for his significant influence and reputation within Jamaican music. He began releasing dancehall singles in 1987 and gained widespread recognition in 1992 with the release of two albums, Stamina Daddy and Mr. Mention. The latter became the best-selling album in Jamaican history upon its release, and 1992 also marked a record-breaking year for Banton for No. 1 singles in Jamaica, a record previously held by Bob Marley and the Wailers. In 1993, he signed with Mercury Records and released Voice of Jamaica. His musical style in the mid-1990s grew more influenced by his Rastafari faith, notably on albums such as 'Til Shiloh and Inna Heights. Banton has collaborated with a variety of international artists across genres including hip-hop, Latin, and punk rock, as well as with the sons of Bob Marley. In 2009, he was arrested in the United States on cocaine trafficking charges; his first trial resulted in a hung jury, but he was convicted in 2011. He served time in prison until December 2018, when he was released and deported to Jamaica. His 2010 album Before the Dawn earned him a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, highlighting his enduring impact on the genre.