Make It Bun Dem

"Make It Bun Dem" is a powerful anthem of rebellion and sonic warfare. The title itself, a Jamaican Patois phrase meaning "Make It Burn Them," sets a defiant and confrontational tone. The song's meaning operates on two levels. On a surface level, within the context of dancehall and electronic music culture, it's a battle cry. Damian Marley's lyrics challenge rival artists ('soundboy') and critics, asserting dominance through superior musical power—a heavier bass and a more potent lyrical flow that will metaphorically 'burn' the competition and force them to flee.

On a deeper, socio-political level, the song is a protest anthem. It channels a spirit of uprising against oppressive systems, be they political, social, or corporate. The act of 'blazing the fire' and 'burning them' becomes a metaphor for dismantling corrupt or unjust structures. This interpretation is heavily reinforced by the official music video, which depicts a conflict between a Native American family and authorities trying to evict them for a real estate developer. In this context, the song becomes the soundtrack to resistance, where cultural and spiritual strength (the rain dance) is pitted against institutional force. The message is one of empowerment for the marginalized, using collective energy ('make them all have fun') and righteous anger ('make it bun dem') to fight back against injustice.

The song opens with a greeting to the world, introducing the powerful collaboration between the vocalist, the "Big Gong-Zilla" (Damian Marley), and the producer, Skrillex. It immediately establishes a mission statement: to disrupt the status quo and bring energy to the people. The core message revolves around intensifying the music, specifically turning up the bass, to create an atmosphere of collective fun and excitement. This is expressed through the recurring, central command to "mash up the place, turn up the bass, and make them all have fun."

A parallel and more aggressive theme is introduced with the phrase "A-we a blaze the fire, make it bun dem." This Jamaican Patois expression, meaning "we are blazing the fire, make it burn them," serves as a declaration of defiance against opposition. The 'dem' (them) are the adversaries, the 'soundboy' (a term for rival DJs or soundsystems in reggae culture, here generalized to any opponent) who are forced to flee. The lyrics promise to decisively conclude any conflict, to "end your week just like a Sunday," implying a final and total victory that brings a sense of rest and completion after the battle.

The track's verses build on this foundation of confrontational confidence. The narrator asserts his formidable presence, stating that opponents wouldn't dare to challenge him if they knew how powerful he is. He describes his lyrical flow as being "sicker than most," capable of defeating all foes and weathering any storm without ever faltering or stopping. This unstoppable momentum is framed as a divine mission, a partnership with God that ensures he will never fail. The constant chatter and criticism from others are dismissed as insignificant noise against the legendary and powerful union of Skrillex and Marley.

The delivery of their musical assault is described as hard, strong, rough, and long-lasting—always correct and never wrong. A key line, "Sweeter the victory, the hotter the battle," encapsulates the song's ethos, suggesting that the intensity of the struggle makes the eventual triumph more rewarding. The music itself is a weapon, with the rattling bass being a sacred force within his 'tabernacle'. The call to action is repeated, urging the 'rudeboy'—a term for a tough, street-smart individual—to embrace this energy. The track culminates in a final, repeated warning for opponents to "pack up and run away," solidifying the song's narrative as a triumphant and unyielding assertion of dominance through sound.

The creation of "Make It Bun Dem" was a multi-stage, collaborative process that began in early 2012. Initially, the track was an untitled instrumental by Skrillex, which he played during his live sets. Fans unofficially dubbed it "Rudeboy Bass" because it featured a prominent sample saying, "Rudeboy bass, mash up the place!" Skrillex then experimented by adding vocals from Damian Marley's 2005 hit "Welcome to Jamrock" to the instrumental, creating a mashup or remix. Feeling this version had potential, Skrillex sent the demo to Damian Marley for his approval to release it as a remix. Instead of simply giving his blessing, Marley proposed recording entirely new, original vocals for the track. This offer transformed the project from a remix into a true collaboration. The new version, with Marley's original lyrics, was first premiered at a Las Vegas nightclub on January 21, 2012. After finalizing the production, Damian Marley shared the complete song on his SoundCloud page on April 16, 2012, confirming its official title. The single was officially released on May 1, 2012, partly at the request of video game company Ubisoft, who would later feature it prominently.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Make It Bun Dem" are central to its driving, combative energy. Damian Marley's vocal delivery prioritizes rhythmic flow and percussive impact over complex rhyme schemes. The verses often employ simple couplets (AABB) or single-syllable end rhymes, such as "close/suppose" and "most/foes," which make the lyrics direct and forceful. The focus is less on intricate wordplay and more on the relentless, marching cadence of the delivery.

Rhythmically, the song is built on a foundation of stark contrast. The verses feature a half-time, reggae-influenced beat, with a strong emphasis on the off-beats, creating the characteristic 'skank' rhythm. This establishes a loping, head-nodding groove. This is then violently interrupted by the dubstep drop, where the rhythm shifts to a driving, four-on-the-floor feel at a much higher perceived tempo, propelled by syncopated, aggressive snare hits and the pulsating wobble bass. This sharp transition from the reggae groove to the high-energy electronic chaos is the song's primary rhythmic hook, creating a powerful sense of anticipation and release that defines the track's structure and feel.

"Make It Bun Dem" is a masterclass in genre fusion, blending literary and musical techniques to create its aggressive and energetic character.

• Musical Techniques: The song's defining feature is the fusion of reggae and dubstep, a style often called 'reggaestep'. Skrillex employs his signature sound design, characterized by aggressive, wobbling bass drops, complex synth patterns, and heavily processed drums. This is juxtaposed with the laid-back, syncopated rhythms of reggae and Marley's distinctive dancehall vocal delivery. The track is written in the F♯ Phrygian mode, which gives it a dark, tense, and distinctive harmonic flavor. The structure alternates between Marley's chanted verses over a reggae-inflected beat and Skrillex's explosive, instrumental dubstep drops, creating a powerful tension-and-release dynamic.
• Literary & Vocal Techniques: Damian Marley's lyrics are delivered in a mix of English and Jamaican Patois, lending authenticity and a rebellious edge. His vocal style is rhythmic and percussive, almost like a chant, which enhances the song's anthemic quality. The lyrics use direct address ("Greetings to the world") and imperatives ("Turn up the bass"), creating a commanding and inclusive feel. There is also a strong use of boasting and bravado, common in dancehall and hip-hop, with lines like "We're sicker than most / Defeating the foes."

"Make It Bun Dem" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, primarily for its successful and high-profile fusion of reggae and dubstep, two genres with deep roots in Jamaican and UK sound system culture, respectively. The collaboration between a mainstream electronic giant like Skrillex and a reggae royal like Damian Marley brought both genres to new audiences and helped solidify 'reggaestep' as a viable subgenre. The song achieved considerable chart success globally, appearing on charts in the UK, Australia, France, Sweden, and Belgium, and earning a Gold certification from the RIAA in the United States.

The song's most enduring cultural legacy is arguably its inclusion in the 2012 video game Far Cry 3. It serves as the soundtrack for a memorable mission titled "Kick the Hornet's Nest," where the player must burn down large fields of marijuana with a flamethrower. The combination of the chaotic gameplay and the song's aggressive energy created an iconic gaming moment that exposed the track to millions of players, many of whom associate the song directly with the game. The song's music video also drew attention for its narrative supporting Native American resistance against eviction, starring activist Nathan Phillips and resonating with social justice movements.

The song and its accompanying music video are rich with symbolism and metaphors centered on themes of resistance and cultural power.

• Bun Dem (Burn Them): The central metaphor, meaning to 'burn them' in Jamaican Patois, symbolizes the act of overcoming and dismantling opposition. It's not about literal arson but a metaphorical purification and destruction of corrupt or oppressive forces.
• Fire: A recurring element, representing both destruction and purification. The lyric "A-we a blaze the fire" signifies an active, cleansing rebellion against injustice.
• Rudeboy: This term, originating from Jamaican street culture, symbolizes a rebellious, anti-establishment figure. In the song, it's a call to arms for those who defy authority.
• Music as a Weapon: The lyrics frequently portray sound, particularly bass, as a physical force. "Mash up the place / Turn up the bass / And make some soundboy run" frames the music itself as the primary weapon in this sonic battle. The bass that must 'rattle' is housed in a 'tabernacle,' elevating the sound system to a sacred, powerful space.
• Music Video Symbolism: The video, directed by Tony Truand, adds layers of symbolism. It contrasts the sterile, aggressive force of law enforcement and corporate development with the organic, spiritual power of a Native American family. The traditional dance is an act of non-violent resistance that summons rain, washing away the developer's plans. The eagle that bursts from the young man's chest represents spiritual strength, freedom, and the power of heritage overwhelming the oppressor.

Several key phrases and motifs are repeated throughout "Make It Bun Dem," acting as powerful hooks that anchor the song's meaning and structure.

• "Make It Bun Dem": The title phrase is the song's central, most powerful motif. It functions as the core of the chorus and encapsulates the track's defiant, rebellious spirit. Its repetition serves as a continuous call to action against opposition.
• "Mash up the place / Turn up the bass": This couplet is another primary hook, repeated multiple times. It establishes the song's identity as a dance track meant to create physical energy and disruption on the dancefloor. It's a direct command to both the DJ and the audience.
• "And we will end your week / Just like a Sunday": This recurring line is a clever and confident boast. It uses the metaphor of Sunday as a day of rest and finality to suggest that the opposition will be so completely defeated that their struggle will be over, bringing a peaceful end to the 'week' of battle.
• "Rudeboy": The word "Rudeboy" is chanted repeatedly, especially before and after the bass drops. It serves as a musical and thematic cue, signaling a shift in energy and reinforcing the song's identity as an anthem for the tough and rebellious.