GRAMMY award-winning Jamaican artiste Buju Banton arrived in the island last night after being released from McRae Correctional Facility in Georgia, United States, yesterday.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was previously scheduled to be released from prison in 2019. However, his release date was last year changed to December 8, 2018.

The deejay, who served eight years in prison on drug charges, looked well as he smiled and waved to airport staff who screamed and shouted his name as he walked through the general aviation (private) section of the airport avoiding a large crowd that had gathered at the main arrival area.

Wearing a white tam and white shirt covered by a white sweater, his beard had patches of grey.

Yesterday, hours before Myrie’s arrival, Jamaica Observer intern Xiomia Hamilton took to the streets of the Corporate Area and sought reactions from Jamaicans, allowing them to weigh in on news of his release and homecoming.

ROMARIO

I wish him all the best and I pray that God will continue to bless him and open ways for him.

TONY CARDOSA

Buju a good people and we respect that and everything. We just want him come home and do him research and homework and everything and do the right thing. Him a good man. Him need fi come home and live him life and take care of him family and do the right thing. Respect Buju man, to the max.

SIMONE

Buju Banton fi life, we love yuh. Give thanks fi life; leggo Buju.

SHELDON KELLY

Buju a definitely my artiste still, and wid the likkle foolishness weh gwaan wid him, mi definitely disheartened. Fi know say him a come a road now, mi happy. A him fi just come back a road now. Foolishness weh gwaan, a just fi him get over that yah now. A just more power. Welcome mi artiste!”

NYSHA

Buju, mi glad fi see you papa. Mi glad Buju, mi glad fi know yah come star, and mi glad fi know everything work out alright even though yuh spend dah long time deh [in prison] still. Yuh a one a Jamaica’s top artiste, so mi glad fi know yuh deh back pan the road, star.

NICHOLA GREEN

Buju, I am so happy you’re home. The place tun up again, dancehall nice again. We really miss yuh, regardless of what happen. Welcome home and big up, big up every time, Buju. Yuh large.

MIGUEL

Glad seh the general a come out, enuh. Glad fi hear him get the release and thing. I just hope say him wise up and nuh bodda make the same mistake twice, yuh seet? Big up.

KADEJHIA GRAHAM

Mi wah Buju come home… a long time me nuh hear some nice, new Buju songs.

CLAUDETTECARESSIA

Buju, wi miss yuh bad, bad. We want to hear some more tune from yuh, we boss. We miss you.

I love you and I can’t wait to see you, Buju. I can’t wait to attend your homecoming show. Love you, Buju.

SHARLENE EDWARDS

Congrats to Buju Banton. Welcome, and yuh know say we love yuh – straight. Yea