EMBATTLED dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta has responded to police claims of him being associated with gang violence in St James.

In a one-minute YouTube audio, the Montego Bay-based artiste said his past association with several other controversial entertainers has been creating problems in his music career.

“Due to my past relationship with some controversial artists and them having their issues, I’ve been stereotyped and misrepresented with the view of me being a person of interest to the authorities,” he said.

“Popular entertainers throughout the world, such as platinum-selling rappers from the US, sing a lot of hardcore lyrics and have fans of gangs. However, they are not affiliated with the gangs. Those gang members are just fans of the artiste. I am a dancehall artiste and I have no control over my fans actions,” Tommy Lee Sparta added.

Last month, Lee whose given name is Leroy Russell, was prevented from performing on Dancehall Night of Reggae Sumfest. At the time, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Senior Superintendent of Police McGregor said that the artiste is currently restricted from performing in the Area One Division, which comprises St James, Trelawny, Westmoreland and Hanover.

Tommy Lee Sparta further stated that he and his team do not pose any security threats as his entourage are usually members of the security forces.

“However, as a lawabiding citizen, doing business across the island and the world, my security details have always been members of the security forces, and I, or anyone that travels with me, cannot truly say they have any disruption of any sort have taken place at the shows that I have been booked for attended,” he added.

Tommy Lee Sparta has been associated with the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire. Kartel (given name Adidja Palmer) is currently serving a life sentence for murder.

— Simone Morgan