Wayne Wonder Says He And Buju Banton Have Grown Apart

Veteran Dancehall singer Wayne Wonder opened up about his ‘falling out’ with his former label mate Buju Banton in a recent podcast with DJ Kash this week.

Though the legendary Dancehall singer attended Banton’s court trial back in 2010, he revealed that when his friend was released from prison, things weren’t the same.

The No Letting Go singer recalled when Penthouse Records producer Donavon Germain had called to arrange for his appearance at the Long Walk To Freedom concert in March 2019. Wayne would tell Germain (who he introduced Buju to) to instead have Buju call him personally since after all they were ‘friends’.

“Even with the show, remember a me make Germain know Buju enuh. So when it was [time] for the show, Germain was calling me … so me say ‘Germain remember say when me a carry Buju come to Penthouse, you don’t even know Buju. Tell Buju call me himself man’,” Wayne said.

He revealed this was how Buju ended up calling him to perform at the event and it also made him realize that their friendship had changed. In a Gleaner interview that year, Wonder was quoted saying, “Buju calling me up at Long Walk To Freedom was just pure joy.”

When asked what was his relationship with Buju now, Wayne said, “Right now since he came out … that first segment like before the show, I give him space make him kinda get back used to the ting but then ahm… it not really the same and I’m being honest, its not the same,” he replied.

Kash was curious if Wonder ever tried to reason with the Trust deejay after to see why things had become so awkward between them. “When he just came out [from jail] we tried. I guess to each his own. I guess we grew apart maybe. We tried … I tried,” he responded.

The Saddest Day singer said he’s still baffled about the matter and ‘couldn’t find the words’ to try and explain what might be the problem.

Wonder (born Von Wayne Charles) shared some highlights of their friendship from back in the early 90’s when they were just starting out in their careers. He recalled the first time he met an 18-year-old Buju Banton at the residence of well-known record producer Winston Riley (Kurt Riley’s dad).

Wayne, who was 19 at the time and reaping the success from his covers on Fast Car, Anything For You, Its Over Now and the track Sound Boy with Nardo Ranks, said he was booked for a show in Clarendon when Banton “inserted himself” into his plans.

“He [Buju] overheard the conversation with me and Winston Riley that I’m going to the dance in country and out of the blue him say, ‘mi cant come…mi cant come’ … I don’t know this person, him just insert himself,” Wonder recalled.

It just so happened that he picked up Gargamel that night and headed to the very jam-packed event. Wonder said he called up the deejay on stage to perform, what was his first underground hit, Stamina Daddy and he “rip up” the place.

It was the beginning of a friendship and musical duet which saw a slew of successful collaborations including Bonafide Love (I Don’t Know Why), Movie Star, Feel Like Crying, Heal the World, Hey Lorna, Commitment, What You Gonna Do and others.

Watch the full interview with Wayne Wonder on DJ Kash Podcast here: