Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Mi seh Black-er (Wah gwaan)
Mi have one man you see, a pure problem him a give inna mi life
And now mi caan take it no more, mi no know wah fi do
A pure gal a disrespect mi, pure disrespect ting him a deal wid you know
(A weh yuh seh?) Weh mi must do Black-er?
(Bun him!!!)
- Excerpt from Bun Him by Macka Diamond and Black-er
GIVING BUN: going outside of your relationship with a steady partner to engage in sexual relationships with someone else.
Flair asked some men to share their views on whether women should return the favour and give their men bun when it is done to them?
The flamboyant female deejay, Macka Diamond, joined forces with the self-proclaimed 'ladies man' Black-er, and once again challenged social norms in song, as she is wont to do. Her latest controversial hit, which is titled Bun him is a saga (see stanza above) describing the shenanigans of her unfaithful spouse. She seeks advice from her friend, Black-er, on how to deal with the situation and Black-er emphatically instructs Macka to 'bun him!' As a result of this message, Bun him, which might have otherwise been another fly-by-night tune, has created quite a stir. Apparently, Macka and Black-er have ruffled some feathers by contesting the double standard that allows men to run around, but stipulates that women should always maintain their fidelity. And, many Jamaican men are not pleased.
PAUL WILLIAMS - 38
The song depicts the typical vindictive Jamaican woman, who cannot find a way out of her mess of a relationship, then opts to return the same sort of looseness her man is carrying on with. Rather than find a way out of the infidelity she is currently facing, she opts to become an infidel herself, and two infidels in a relationship is recipe for disaster. This social commentary reveals what can happen to a relationship when persons don't stick to their partner.
JAMIE JOHNSON - 21
I don't really support the message that the song is sending to women, but it is so catchy it's hard not to jam to it. I understand that it is a double standard that men can cheat, but women must never return the favour, but as cliché as it may sound "a woman can't do the same things a man does, and still be a lady." In essence, Macka Diamond and Black-er are encouraging Jamaican women to cheapen themselves.
GARFIELD SMITH - 25
Black-er's recommendation that Macka "bun him" was not good advice. That would be rendering evil for evil. Though her man is cheating he does not deserve to get back the "bun", he deserves to be left, but not given "bun." I must acknowledge that men cheat all the while; and women too! We are on equal footing when it comes to infidelity. However, there's no need to repay a bad deed with another bad deed. That is very low. Instead, the woman should just end the relationship.
ANTHONY SPRINTER - 29
I love the song. I see it as art; an expression of a woman's struggle to get even, or get back at her man. However, I do not personally support the concept of an eye for an eye, not from either gender. Women have long been dealing with the infidelity of their spouses without stooping to that level, so it is not necessary to "bun him back". But I still love the song; it's entertaining!
