KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans here and in the Diaspora have warmly welcomed news of Buju Banton’s release from the McRae Correctional Facility in Georgia, USA earlier today.

The 45-year-old Grammy Award-winning artiste, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was arrested on cocaine charges in 2009 and given a mandatory 10-year sentence in 2011.

He was previously scheduled to be released in 2019; however, his release day was last year changed to December 8, 2018.

Days after his conviction, Buju Banton won a Grammy Award for his album Before Dawn. His other albums include ‘Til Shiloh (1995), Inna Heights (1997) and Unchained Spirit (2000).

Many have since taken to social media sharing their favourite songs from the Gargamel now a free entertainer.

Some have even suggested that the month of December, used to acknowledge the yuletide season will be dedicated to playing songs from the reggae singer instead of the festive Christmas carols.

Others in the meantime, have used the opportunity to warn the singer to not again get caught up in any drug-related situation as more is expected from him.

“I will never understand why a person who have everything going for them and have the world at their feet turn around and allow greed to derail the progress they made in life. For the most part Buju, in my mind was a rebel, a righteous and progressive entertainer. Buju was heir to the Throne of Progressive Message Music that is Reggae,” said one OBSERVER ONLINE reader.

Fans are now looking forward to a string of shows across the island and the Diaspora from the entertainer and stand ready to roll out the red carpet.