Buju Banton Scores Global Chart Success With New Album Too Too Bad

Buju Banton’s latest studio effort, Too Too Bad, is quickly making its presence felt beyond Jamaica, securing reggae iTunes chart positions across several international markets following its July 17 release through VP Records.

The album reached No. 8 in Belgium, No. 22 in Canada, No. 26 in the United Kingdom, No. 27 in France, No. 28 in Japan and No. 34 in Germany, highlighting the global reach of the veteran entertainer’s newest project.

Individual tracks have also enjoyed strong digital performances. Butterflies climbed to No. 11 on the US iTunes Reggae Songs chart over the weekend after previously topping the ranking when it was initially released. Produced by Supa Dups and built around the iconic Real Rock rhythm, the single also performed well on the wider digital sales charts tracked by PopVortex.

Other songs from the album have also attracted attention. Xrated rose to No. 12 on the US reggae songs chart over the fast-rising WYFL rhythm, while Wild Woman, featuring DJ Khaled, entered the Top 20. We Nuh Play also reached No. 22.

On the United States iTunes Reggae Albums chart, Too Too Bad opened at No. 3. The project finished behind producer Kemar “Flava” McGregor, whose Riddim 91 claimed the top spot, while the compilation Kiss of Judas debuted at No. 2.

The 13-track collection marks Buju’s 13th studio album and deliberately revisits the hard-hitting dancehall style that helped launch his career. Its title pays tribute to his 2006 release Too Bad. Production duties were shared by Supa Dups, DJ Khaled and Di Genius, while Ari Lennox and Gramps Morgan feature among the guest artistes.

The new release follows Buju’s 2023 album Born For Greatness, which included collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley and Victoria Monét, continuing the prolific run of recordings since his return to the studio.

Across more than three decades in music, Buju Banton has built one of reggae’s most acclaimed catalogues. His 1993 breakthrough album Voice of Jamaica combined socially conscious themes with uncompromising dancehall, while Til Shiloh in 1995 became one of his defining works, documenting his spiritual journey through songs such as Untold Stories, Champion and Wanna Be Loved.

He expanded on that direction with Inna Heights in 1997, a deeply Rastafarian project featuring songs including Destiny and Our Father in Zion. In 2010, he captured the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with Before the Dawn, adding another milestone to an already celebrated career.

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