JAYFORCE

Buju Banton was found guilty of cocaine charges yesterday in a Tampa courtroom.  Like sunshine & rain the popular reggae star had just won a Grammy award a little over a week ago for his ‘Behind The Dawn’ album, but the bad news came down yesterday with him facing 15 years to life imprisonment.  A 12 member jury found him guilty on 3 counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.   This will be a huge blow to the reggae music community because just like hip hop has been at a serious crossroads as an artform so has reggae & dancehall.  Buju, who’s real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, expressed in court proceedings that he was setup by a man who turned out to be a government informant he met on a plane by the name of Alexander Johnson.  According to reports the informant allegedly netted $50,000 for helping lure Buju into federal custody & has made over $3 Million dollars as a paid informant for over 14 years.  What possibly sealed Buju’s conviction was they had him on videotape tasting the cocaine in a warehouse.  Overall its a very unfortunate situation not only for Buju, but for his 15 children, extended family members, fans, & supporters. Read the full associated press report HERE.

BUJU BANTON  – GIVE I STRENGTH

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BUJU BANTON – UNTOLD STORIES

‘Driver A’ is one of my favorite songs from Buju but who would have thought that years from now this video & song would be so ironic today….. Keep your head up Buju!