Friends for Life is the seventh studio album by Jamaican recording artist Buju Banton. It was released on March 11, 2003 through VP Music Group with exclusive distribution via Atlantic Records. Production was primarily handled by Donovan Germain and Buju Banton, along with Cool & Dre, Jammy "Jamz" James, Sheldon Stewart, Sly Dunbar, Steely & Clevie, Steven "Lenky" Marsden. It features guest appearances from Beres Hammond, Bounty Killer, Fat Joe, Nadine Sutherland, Sons & Daughters Choir and Wayne Wonder. The album peaked at number 198 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, and was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards,[2] but lost to Sean Paul's Dutty Rock. The album was supported with charted single "Paid Not Played", which peaked at number 84 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100 in the UK.
Friends for Life | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by Buju Banton | ||||
Released | March 11, 2003 (2003-03-11) | |||
Studio | Various
| |||
Genre |
| |||
Length | 75:23 | |||
Label | VP Music Group | |||
Producer |
| |||
Buju Banton chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Friends for Life | ||||
| ||||
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rick Anderson of AllMusic said that "This is not his best album by a long shot, but it does demonstrate his clear superiority to most of the dancehall pack".[1] Dave Simpson, reviewer of The Guardian, saw the album as the biggest escalation of his positive side of music, saying: "Since 1995's well-regarded 'Til Shiloh, he has become known as Mr Positivity, and this album is the upper and worst example of that trite and withdrawn imagery", ending the review saying: "after a strong and rousing beginnings, Friends for Life gets lost in slush".[3]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Paid Not Played" |
| 4:01 | |
2. | "Tra La La" |
| Steven "Lenky" Marsden | 3:24 |
3. | "Teaser" (featuring Bounty Killer) |
| Steely & Clevie | 3:48 |
4. | "Excerpt of a Speech by Marcus Mosiah Garvey" | 0:56 | ||
5. | "Up Ye Mighty Race" | Myrie | Buju Banton | 4:02 |
6. | "All Will Be Fine" (featuring Sons and Daughters Choir) |
| Donovan Germain | 5:33 |
7. | "Maybe We Are" |
| Donovan Germain | 6:20 |
8. | "Mama Africa" | Peter Tosh | Donovan Germain | 4:47 |
9. | "Hooked on the Love" |
| Donovan Germain | 3:58 |
10. | "Get It On" (featuring Wayne Wonder) |
| Banton | 3:30 |
11. | "Friend for Life" |
| Banton | 3:51 |
12. | "Good Times" (featuring Beres Hammond and Fat Joe) |
| Donovan Germain | 4:24 |
13. | "Damn" |
| Cool & Dre | 4:20 |
14. | "La Da De Da" |
| Banton | 3:22 |
15. | "Feeling Groovy" |
| Donovan Germain | 3:14 |
16. | "Pensive Mood" | Myrie | Banton | 4:25 |
17. | "Spectacular" | Myrie | Jammy "Jamz" James | 3:49 |
18. | "What Am I Gonna Do" (featuring Nadine Sutherland) |
|
| 4:03 |
19. | "Mr. Nine" |
| Sheldon Stewart | 3:36 |
Total length: | 1:15:23 |
Chart (2003) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200[5] | 198 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] | 44 |
US Reggae Albums (Billboard)[7] | 3 |
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[8] | 14 |
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link){{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Buju Banton | |
---|---|
Discography | |
Studio albums |
|
Compilation and remix albums |
|
Featured singles |
|
Authority control ![]() |
|
---|