After spending two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to production of false identification documents and bank fraud, dancehall artiste Stamma Gramma has returned reformed and ready to regain his place in the industry.

The entertainer whose given name is Michael Williams rose to prominence in 2013 with Scammer Anthem. In this case, the life of the entertainer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems was, in fact, imitating art.

“It was rough. It was challenging on a mental, psychological and spiritual level. Being investigated by the long arms of these American federal agencies really brings you to your knees. It humbles you, exposes you and strip you to the bare bone,” the deejay said.

“I have had sleepless nights, tormented days and moments where I was in the world physically, but my mind was somewhere lost in a vacuum of emptiness. I was sunken in an abyss of darkness. What I experienced is not for the faint of heart and I would not wish it on my worst enemy. When I saw United States vs Michael Williams. I wished the ground would open up and take what was left of me. Yuh affi understand, it was me; a likkle youth from Jamaica College against the world’s most powerful and resourceful government. One man vs 100 gorillas, literally. If it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of God, I don’t believe that I could have coped. I coped through God’s love and grace,” he explained.

Following a coordinated raid on his properties in New York and Connecticut, he was charged with multiple counts, including production of false identification documents and bank fraud. He pleaded guilty in July 2022 and was sentenced to serve two years at Allenwood FCI, one of the most notorious federal prisons in Pennsylvania.

Prior to his incarceration, Stamma Gramma explained that he was enjoying his childhood dream of becoming an artiste.

“It meant the world to me. I have been doing music since I was 13 years old, so it was a dream come true to receive the spotlight. However, I felt it came too soon. I had the brave idea to be the first to put out a scamming song, and it manifested real quick. It was an experiment though and I was not prepared — neither for the scrutiny nor the attention. I also had a lot going on in my personal life — going to college while taking care of a severely ill girlfriend,” he explained.

As part of his sentencing preparation, Williams underwent a forensic psychological review. The report, written by Forensic Mitigation Specialist Reynaldo Cusicanqui, detailed a childhood riddled with violence, isolation and trauma. His development was marred by emotional neglect and psychological abuse. The damage, the report concluded, impacted his ability to regulate emotion, form identity and make rational decisions.

While serving his sentence, the creative said he wrote 368 songs and two unpublished books.

According to the entertainer, he also engaged in extensive reading, completing more than 200 books on subjects including psychology, faith, leadership, philosophy, trauma, and personal development. He is looking to release his album, Baby Face Assassin, in the near future.

In the meantime, Stamma Gramma is encouraging the public to stay clear of illicit activities, as he looks to pump even greater efforts into being a positive example.

“Take it from me brethren, yuh nuh wah go federal prison, not even for a day. The humiliation and the degradation of that system will break the toughest of us. I wasn’t broken though because God’s anointing is unbreakable. Prison is a place weh Babylon design fi make spirits die. I gained the world while I was making fake IDs but I lost a part of me that I will never get back in prison — not broken but shaken. There is a reason why Pablo Escobar said he rather die in Columbia than spend a day in an American cell. It nuh worth it, my youth! (Vybz) Kartel done tell you already, and mi can relate,” the artiste said.

— Kediesha Perry