1992 The Year of Ragga

I found this old I-D magazine I've kept from 1992. I think this model was my style icon for a while!
Rising stars of Ragga are named as: Supercat, Ninjaman, General Levy, Buju Banton and Tony Rebel.

Ah yes, the Ragga Years

Oh dear, it's been a while again, I forgot how much time and effort is required to put together a regular music blog. I want to finish what I've started so I will plough on through the months of 2010 to bring you my vinyl Ragga collection. Since I last posted there has been good news and bad news for my favourite Ragga DJ Buju Banton. Good = his album Rasta Got Soul was nominated for a Grammy. Bad = he has been arrested in the US for allegedly possessing (with intent to sell) 5 kilos of cocaine. He is currently being detained in Florida awaiting trial and is denying all charges, entering a plea of not guilty.
Buju, Buju, Buju. Where has it all gone wrong? Is it true? Is it an FBI set up to make an example of him and warn off Jamaican gangsters? Did he get greedy and mix with the wrong people? I guess these questions will be answered at the trial. But for now lets go back in time and listen to a frivolous track praising hot pants, much in the vein of Short Shorts by The Royal Teens (1957)

Batty Rider - Buju Banton (from the Mr Mention LP)