There are many unreleased Buju Banton songs which producer Donovan Germain intends to keep in the archives of Penthouse Studios.
“If I go in my computer right now, I can find at least 30, 40 Buju Banton songs no release yet,” Germain said. “Me just figure, where he is at, for me to put out that kind of song, is like him regressing. It wouldn’t be the same quality as the position where he is at.”
Buju was with the label for nearly two decades until he took charge of his affairs in 2008. Banton was arrested in Miami, USA, in 2009, on drug charges and in 2013 was sentenced to 10 years in prison. His last full-length release before conviction, the Before The Dawn album, won the Reggae Grammy in 2011.
“I have to be true and protect the music industry. Some people would have them Buju Banton songs and say them have some Buju songs, him deh a prison now and put them out,” he said.
Germain said sometimes they are played in the studio but “we wouldn’t put them out for the general public to hear… It would be like you put a man up there so and you same one lick whey the ladder and bring him back down. No, me nah go do that; me going to make sure the thing stay desso.”
It is not for Buju’s sake only, as there is a healthy dose of self-interest.
“His success is my success. I can’t tell nobody say a no Donovan Germain produce them songs there. I am the architect of what you hear on the road. Him is the creative force with the vocals and the melodies and him writing. Me come with the music and technicality, so collectively we make the whole,” he said.
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