A sad day – Reggae industry reacts to Buju’s guilty verdict

Papa Biggy,Connecticut-basedreggae artiste -“The reggae music industry issaddened by the verdict. Wewere all looking forward to anot-guilty verdict. I want Bujuto stay strong and I hope hislawyer will be appealing it. Inmy heart he’s still an icon inthe reggae music industry andwill always be a voice that cannever be silenced.”

Entertainment

February 22, 2011

A sad day – Reggae industry reacts to Buju’s guilty verdict

A pall seemed to have been cast over members of the reggae industry following the guilty verdict handed down by the jurors in the trial of Buju Banton.

Everyone at the Observer intimated their disappointment with the outcome of the second trial of the Grammy-winning reggae artiste. Buju’s former manager and producer, Donovan Germain of Penthouse Records was so distraught by the news that he opted not to comment, noting, “I can’t talk to you right now, I am too messed up to think.”

In the meantime, social network sites, Facebook and Twitter in particular, have been abuzz even before the verdict was handed down. On Facebook, one Buju Banton fan from Barbados noted that the verdict was indeed “sour”, adding that “everyone feel for him”. She said a number of radio stations in Barbados were showing solidarity with the Jamaican artiste and playing his music.

Fellow artiste and Buju’s close friend, Wayne Wonder also took to Facebook. Wonder urged, “Lets all keep the prayers going for Mark, we all have to stay strong and stand by him!”

Only last week the entertainment fraternity had their hopes lifted, as on February 13 — one day before the start of this, his second trial –Buju won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for the project, Before the Dawn. Many saw this as good fortune for the artiste who had been plagued by tour cancellations to support his previous release, Rasta Got Soul. Buju Banton reacted to the win at the Grammys by noting how honoured he was, adding that it meant that his music has transcended a lot of borders and people are now paying attention to what he has to say.

The Observer sought comments from a number of players in the music industry to the verdict as handed down in the Florida courtroom.

George Nooks,Recording artiste -“It’s sad, I’m sad. It’s asad day in reggae, period.Honestly, I’m strugglingto come to grips with theverdict. I was holding outhope that Buju wouldhave been set free… Can’tsay I was expecting thisat all; just want toencourage Buju to staystrong. He said it best inhis song, It’s Not anEasy Road.”

Nadine Sutherland,Recording artiste -“I wish that the verdictwas different, I amgutted at this time. I ampleased though to haveseen throughout hisordeal the love and thesupport he received fromthe Jamaican people.”

Richie B,Radio disc jock— Hot 102 FM -“The verdict issimply heart-wrenching.All I am remembering isthe conversation I hadwith Buju in Florida atthe Before the Dawnconcert. He was soconfident and it gave mea sense of hope for theoutcome, so it is hard todeal with this very sad,upsetting verdict. Iwould encourage Bujuand his team to appealthis decision in order toarrive at a better result.”

Dr SonjahStanley-Niaah,Lecturer in CulturalStudies — UWI -“This is indeed a sad dayfor the music, Buju, hisfamily, friends and fansworldwide, and leavesme very introspective atthis time. It should alsobe seen as a wake-upcall for those who arenot one the straight andnarrow, as well as forartistes to constantlyassess their craft. I amconfident, however, thatBuju will use this time toreflect and trust that hislawyers will puttogether an appeal thatwill allow us to lookwith hope to arising sun.”

Clinton Lindsay,Foundation Radio Network -“I was in the last minutes ofmy show when I got the news,tears immediately came to myeyes. I just can’t believe itwent that way. From all thereports I was getting, itseemed things were lookinggood in his direction… I amjust too shocked right now.I really feel bad for Buju, hisfamily and his many, manyfans. I am praying that thejudge will have mercy and belenient when passing downsentence. I wish Buju the bestand that he gains strength anddoes not lose faith, it’s truly asad day for many of us.”

Bobby ClarkeIrie Jam Radio,New York -“Nothing can describethe feeling of despairthat came over New Yorkwhen the heart-breakingnews of the verdict camein. We are now in a stateof absolute shock anddismay. Injustice,corruption, bias, and evilhas won today… theoppressor and thedarkness they push hasclaimed victory, but onlyfor today. We will crytoday, we will beovercome by deepsorrow today, but onlyfor today. We will standbeside our fallen soldier,he is a hero in our eyesno matter the verdict.We will rise as a peopleand as a country. Weshall never be defeatedby evil, they will notwin. Buju, wesalute you.”

Lady GRecording, artiste -“I’m so disappointed andI am still praying. I amstill in shock, I can’tthink of anything moreto say right now.”