You know that feeling when a song just fits a moment so perfectly it becomes inseparable from the memory? For a whole generation of people, that moment involves a flamethrower, a field of crops, and the guttural roar of Damian Marley’s voice.
It's been years since Make It Bun Dem first tore through our speakers in 2012. Yet, honestly, it still feels as fresh—and as chaotic—as the day it dropped. It wasn't just a "dubstep song." It was a cultural collision that shouldn't have worked on paper but somehow defined an entire era of the internet.
The Weird History of a "Rudeboy" Demo
The track didn't start as a high-profile collaboration. In fact, back in early 2012, Skrillex was playing an unnamed instrumental in his live sets. Fans, being the internet detectives they are, dubbed it "Rudeboy Bass" because of a vocal sample buried in the mix.
Basically, Skrillex had taken a vocal snippet from Damian Marley’s legendary "Welcome to Jamrock" and layered it over his signature, screeching synths. It was a rough mashup. A placeholder. But the energy was undeniable.
Eventually, the demo made its way to Damian Marley himself. Now, most artists might have just said, "Cool, clear the sample and pay me." Instead, Jr. Gong offered to record entirely original vocals for the track. That’s how we got the iconic "We mash up the place" lines that everyone still screams at festivals today.
By the time it officially premiered at Surrender Night Club in Las Vegas in January 2012, the hype was already at a boiling point. It officially hit the digital shelves on May 1, 2012, via Big Beat and OWSLA.
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That One Far Cry 3 Mission
You can't talk about Make It Bun Dem without talking about Far Cry 3. If you haven't played it, let me set the scene. You’re Jason Brody, a stranded tourist turned accidental guerilla fighter. You’re handed a flamethrower and told to torch five massive marijuana fields.
The second the first plant catches fire, that heavy, syncopated guitar line kicks in.
It’s easily the most iconic mission in the franchise's history. The music loops, getting more intense as you move through the smoke, and the screen starts to warp and wobble to mimic the character getting "high" from the fumes. It was a masterclass in using music to elevate gameplay.
Ubisoft actually requested the song specifically for the game. They knew they needed something that felt rebellious, rhythmic, and aggressive all at once. Even now, if you go to any Reddit thread about the best gaming moments of all time, "Kick the Hornet's Nest" is always near the top.
What Does "Make It Bun Dem" Actually Mean?
There’s always been a bit of confusion over the lyrics. Is it just about burning things?
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Sorta. In Jamaican Patois, "bun dem" (burn them) is often used as a spiritual or social metaphor for casting out negative energy, corruption, or "evil-doers." Damian Marley has always stayed true to his Rastafarian roots, even when jumping on a 140 BPM electronic beat.
The music video, directed by Tony Truand, actually leans into this social commentary. It’s not just about a party; it’s about a family facing eviction from their home by a heartless real estate developer. The "burning" in the video is metaphorical—represented by a young Native American man performing a ceremonial dance that summons a golden eagle of light.
It’s a heavy theme for a song that most people just associate with "wub wubs."
Why the Genre Mix Worked
While the "purists" in the dubstep scene and the reggae world both had their gripes, the general public ate it up. Here's why the fusion actually held water:
- The Tempo: Both dubstep and "reggaestep" (as people started calling it) sit comfortably around 140 BPM.
- The Bass: Reggae is built on "riddims" and sub-bass. Skrillex just swapped the organic bass for a distorted, "growling" synthesizer.
- The Rhythmic Pocket: The syncopation of the guitar upstrokes provided a perfect counter-rhythm to the aggressive drums.
Charts and Certifications: The Numbers Don't Lie
People liked to act like Skrillex was a niche "brostep" fad, but the data says otherwise. This track was a monster on the charts. It didn't just top the Billboard Reggae Digital Song Sales chart; it went Platinum in the United States and 2x Platinum in Australia and New Zealand.
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Even as recently as late 2025, the song received a new Gold certification in the UK. That’s a massive testament to its longevity. Most "viral" EDM tracks from 2012 are long forgotten, buried in old SoundCloud playlists. But Make It Bun Dem has this weird, persistent staying power.
It’s one of those rare tracks that works in a dark basement club, a massive festival mainstage, and a high-budget video game.
The Legacy in 2026
Looking back from 2026, it's clear Skrillex was in a transition phase when he made this. He was moving away from the pure "Scary Monsters" sound and experimenting with more "organic" influences. You can see the seeds of his later, more refined work—like the stuff on Quest for Fire—being planted right here.
Is it his "best" song? That’s subjective. But is it his most culturally significant? You could make a very strong case for it. It bridged the gap between the burgeoning EDM scene of the early 2010s and the legendary Marley lineage.
If you want to revisit the track, don't just put it on in the background. Fire up an old copy of Far Cry 3 or find a high-quality live recording from his 2012 tours. The energy is still there.
Actionable Next Steps
- Listen to the After Hours Remixes: If you’re bored of the original, the After Hours EP has some wild takes on the track, especially the Culprate and Alvin Risk versions.
- Check the Patois: Dig into a lyric sheet. Understanding the actual message Damian is "toasting" about changes the vibe of the song from a party anthem to a protest track.
- Watch the Video: Re-watch the official music video with the context of the eminent domain storyline; it's a much deeper visual than you probably remember from a decade ago.