Local reggae acts and the charges they have faced

Friday, October 07, 2011

FOR one reason or another some of our entertainers have issues when it comes to staying on the right side of the law. For some, it is viewed as a case of art imitating life, based on their sometimes violent lyrical content. While, others see it as a case of a citizen, like any other crossing the line of the law.

Issues of entertainers and the law have been brought into sharp focus this week following the highly publicised arrest of controversial deejay, Vybz Kartel on a number of charges. The deejay, who is also known as the Teacha, is now facing charges ranging from conspiracy to murder to murder and illegal possession of firearm. Kartel remains in a Corporate Area lock-up.

Vybz Kartel is not the only Jamaican artiste facing murder charges. After two years the don gorgon Ninjaman is clueless as to his trial date, but that whole scenario is being played out because, despite his One Umbrella Movement preaching peace, he was fingered in the murder of Ricardo Johnson in the 2009 shooting incident along Marl Road in Kingston.

Come February next year, dancehall artiste Mavado is to stand trial on charges of malicious destruction of property and assault. The charges stem from an incident in which Mavado and his entourage are alleged to have assaulted a man and his son after they failed to move their vehicle out of the roadway during a traffic snarl in the hills of St James.

Perhaps the most high-profiled case involving a Jamaican artiste was deejay Buju Banton's drug trial. The artiste is now serving his 10-year prison sentence at the Limestone County Correctional Institution in Groesbeck, Texas. The artiste whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was found guilty of drugrelated charges and sentenced to 10 years in a Tampa, Florida court in February. A first trial ended in a mistrial after a panel of jurors could not unanimously decide on his guilt or innocence.

He has maintained his innocence, claiming entrapment by the United States Government.

Lest one is of the opinion that youth is an excuse for running afoul of the law, that can be dispelled as veteran entertainer and patriarch of the Morgan Heritage clan, 66-year-old Denroy Morgan was recently arrested in New York on ganja possession.

According to police reports, detectives noticed a strong odour of marijuana coming from a car they stopped, which was reportedly being driven by Morgan. Police say there were two bags containing about 25 pounds of marijuana in the trunk. Morgan is currently out on bail.

Last month another artiste, Gyptian, was questioned by the police regarding the shooting incident at a recording studio in Kingston and subsequent death of Davian 'Burru' Bailey. The artiste was not arrested.

Conscious crusader Luciano had his moment with the law when in 2009 he was said to be harbouring a fugitive after a renowned gunman was killed at his house following a stand-off with the police.

Only recently up-and-coming sound system selector and radio disc jock, Wa Wah, fingered the deejay Aidonia and his entourage in an attack on him at a Kingston nightclub. Aidonia subsequently denied the allegations.

Entertainers getting in trouble with the law is nothing new. Peter Tosh, in September 1978, was arrested for smoking marijuana and also found himself facing charges of attacking a policeman, resisting arrest and using indecent language.

Dancehall artiste Zebra repeatedly got himself in trouble facing rape charges on numerous occasions. He is currently incarcerated. Meanwhile, singer Jah Cure is currently a free man, however, he too did time on rape charges. He has persistently denied committing the act.

Of course, entertainers getting in trouble with the law is not restricted to Jamaica nor the dancehall, as hip hop artistes such as TI and Lil Wayne have been convicted on various charges.

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COMMENTS (11)

Un Poco Loco
10/7/2011

Leave Peter Tosh out of unu dutty bundle.

roast eggg
10/7/2011

Lets examine the dj phenomenon, all the dj's from far back such as king of all U-roy, king stich, shabba, jose wales i-roy, yellowman, el-paso dj, general trees, admiral bailey, do you see them being charged with murder or rape? No, only the "GUN CULTURE" so-called dj's are caught up in this mess, as you can see, they have no musical talent, what they are about strictly garbage and utter filth. Whom, i ask , would waste their money to buy such garbage? they have no international value, classless

R- Cool
10/7/2011

@mark holford, Criminal behaviour is criminal period OK. These Scum-bags have always had these MIND_SET. They were just waiting for the opportunity MONETARILY to exhibit , practice and promote such behaviour, Unfortunately its a norm popularily,and boastfully appreciated by a vast amount of our illeteriate and semi-illeterate population. Their literatures has become the teaching academics of our society from Primary to UWI.
They are all from the MOLDS of Criminal intentions. Managers included

Un Poco Loco
10/7/2011

What is this? A one-sided article. The person who wrote this article didn't even have the courage to put Bob Marley name on this list but put rastacat Peter Tosh name on the list.
According to Timeline of Bob Marley's Career: Spring 1977,
"The Wailers are based in London, on and off, for three months while working on their next album, during which time Marley and Aston Barret are arrested and fined for possession of herb." The report needs to do more research before trying to mislead people.

Jaye Stone
10/7/2011

Commenter mark holford is a prime example of what has befallen our people.No regard for the law.
He doesn't seem to realize that what is being discussed here is breaking the laws of the land, regardless of whether he agrees with them or not. Do you recognize the law, Mr. Holford?

D T
10/7/2011

Most of these entertainers believe they are above the law. This why they act like the are untouchable, form possesing narcotics to assult its too common among them. Managers and producers should take the time to educate them on the the role they have in society. With fame and fortune comes great responsiblity

Jaye Stone
10/7/2011

One thing. Even if Kartel was caught with a smoking gun, we would still see people claiming " leave im alone, im no do nutten", which just goes to show that the decay and lawlessness are now part of our national identity. We have for too long had the lawless as role models.

David Armstrong
10/7/2011

The filth that these Dancehall musicians must be discouraged and eliminated. Any form of music or entertainment that corrupts children is of no positive value to society. Furthermore such music distract our young children from acquiring positive values and a good education. Society must not tolerate music that glorifies violence, degrades women, advocates hatred, and promotes sexual promiscuity. Our youth is the key to nation building and if they are influenced -vely the nation will be doomed.

mark holford
10/7/2011

A murder charge is a completely different thing from a charge of ganja posession. The article makes them alll sound of similar gravity.

Anthony II
10/7/2011

II. An nuh badda drag people like Peter Tosh inna dis. Peter Tosh smoking weed is no comparison to these modern day people who are being accused of murder, involvement in gangs, and all those things.
.
One of the hopes I have of Andrew as PM is that he will serve as a symbol to young people in JA that they can aspire to be something other than bhuttus dragging down our society. That way they will not look to the cesspool of violent, misogynistic, homophobic lyrics that pass as entertainment.

Anthony II
10/7/2011

And what penalties have they suffered in Jamaica? None that I can think about, because in JA, dem a god an ginnigag and can duh as dem please. They come to the US and mess up, and it takes the US justice system to let them realize that they are not above the law. In JA, with the aid of various companies and sectors of JA society, they get endorsement deals, TV shows, big up a dance, and other accolades in return for the negative behavior in which they engage.

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Local reggae acts and the charges they have faced