Entertainers and others close to Voicemail singer, Oneil Edwards, say that while the show of solidarity from the music fraternity — especially from some artistes –has been comforting, rumours of his demise and an “insensitive cartoon” have been adding to their pain.

“One website reported that he was dead and then there was the cartoon this morning — when I saw them I couldn’t do anything but cry,” a popular artiste manager told the Observer.

Her cry was echoed by singjay Mr Vegas, who has been spearheading the vigils that have united artistes.

“The timing of the cartoon was bad. It leaves a bitter taste in our mouths,” he said. “We are trying to cope. We have come together to condemn violence and to pray for Oneil. Persons have been criticising us and saying that we are not real, but nobody can know another person’s heart,” Mr Vegas declared.

He added, “This is not the first time I have tried to bring the artistes together for a cause, but thisis the first time the response has been so overwhelming. And it is because Oneil is an artiste who did not deserve this. He isn’t one of those who sing gun lyrics and associate himself with violence.”

Mr Vegas also condemned the shooting of deejay Ewart ‘Cobra’ Brown on Tuesday evening in Portmore. Up to last night, Cobra, who was shot in the upper body was resting at the Spanish Town Hospital.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, to whose booking and management agency, Specs/Shang, Cobra was signed during the 90’s, has urged the society to unite and take a stance against crime. She also asked entertainers to review their lyrical content.

“Entertainers need to look at the messages they are sending. They must remember that criminals are also their fans, and when they sing about guns, informers and violence they are encouraging them,” the minister said.

A press release from Headline Entertainment yesterday afternoon stated that Oneil remains in a critical but stable condition in intensive care at the Kingston Public Hospital. It quoted Voicemail member, Jerome ‘Craig’ Jackson as saying that “several persons have been communicating wrong information regarding our brother and we just want them to stop and be responsible in their actions and stop encouraging and participating in rumours”.

Oneil was attacked and shot as he was about to enter his house in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, Monday morning. Reports are that the main suspect was found dead in Chancery Hall yesterday afternoon. He had been shot several times; Oneil’s cellular phone was found in his possession.

Voicemail is popular for hits such as Nuh Behaviour, Weddy Weddy, Just Dance and Dance the Night Away.

— Yasmine Peru