Buju Banton Returns to His Roots on 13th Studio Album Too Too Bad

The Grammy-winning Jamaican legend taps an acclaimed cast of producers, revisits legendary dancehall riddims, and showcases the commanding style that launched his international career

Buju Banton drops his 13 studio album (Photo: Jamie Crawford-Walker)

Grammy-winning reggae and dancehall icon Buju Banton has officially released his highly anticipated 13th studio album, TOO TOO BAD, via VP Records.

The 13-track project debuted at No. 3 on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Albums chart, marking a strong start for the Jamaican legend while reaffirming the authentic dancehall sound that first propelled him onto the international stage.

At its core, TOO TOO BAD is a return to Buju's roots. While his previous albums have all been anchored in reggae and dancehall, this project feels particularly intentional in retracing the journey that established him as one of the genre's most influential voices. From its previously released singles to its heavy use of classic riddims and commanding deejay delivery, the album pays tribute to the sound that launched Buju Banton's career while updating it with modern production and collaborations.

Several tracks pay tribute to some of dancehall's most iconic riddims. The album opens with "We Nuh Play," built around the legendary Diseases riddim, originally produced by Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1981 and reimagined by Jermaine "August" Reid. Previously released single "Butterflies," produced by Supa Dups for Black Chiney Music, rides a fresh interpretation of the timeless Real Rock riddim.

On "Wild Woman," produced by DJ Khaled, Buju delivers another masterclass in deejaying over a sample of Notch's dancehall classic "Nuttin No Go So" on the iconic Buy Out riddim - the same riddim that also spawned Sean Paul's global smash "Like Glue." Meanwhile, "X Rated," which featured on DJ Mac and Crash Dummy's viral WYFL Riddim, makes its official album appearance, while "Eye to Eye," produced by Miami-based Bashment Sound duo Silent Addy and Disco Neil, showcases Buju's commanding lyrical flow over a hard-hitting dancehall production.

The album also reunites Buju with American R&B singer Ari Lennox on "Satisfy Me," following their previous collaboration on "Company," while "Power" features longtime collaborator Gramps Morgan.

Buju Banton Returns to His Dancehall Roots (Photo: Jamie Crawford-Walker)

TOO TOO BAD is powered by an elite cast of producers, including Supa Dups, Andre "Suku Ward" Gray, Di Genius, Kheil "Stone" Harrison, DJ Mac, Jermaine "August" Reid, and the Miami-based Bashment Sound duo of Silent Addy and Disco Neil, creating a project that balances classic Jamaican dancehall with contemporary textures.

By pairing timeless dancehall foundations with modern production and international collaborations, TOO TOO BAD stands as both a celebration of Buju Banton's legacy and a reminder that the authentic sound that made him a global icon remains as powerful as ever.