A sad day - Reggae industry reacts to Buju’s guilty verdict ..... gay activists not responsible

Well the Observer Clovis cartoon kinda hits the nail on the head to the hypocrisy of it all and the perceptions of Jamaicans on this case and others bearing in mind the gay activists are getting the blame for Mr. Myrie's legal problems:

The Jamaica Observer published that A pall seemed to have been cast over members of the reggae industry following the guilty verdict handed down by the jurors in the trial of Buju Banton.
Everyone at the Observer intimated their disappointment with the outcome of the second trial of the Grammy-winning reggae artiste. Buju's former manager and producer, Donovan Germain of Penthouse Records was so distraught by the news that he opted not to comment, noting, "I can't talk to you right now, I am too messed up to think."

In the meantime, social network sites, Facebook and Twitter in particular, have been abuzz even before the verdict was handed down. On Facebook, one Buju Banton fan from Barbados noted that the verdict was indeed "sour", adding that "everyone feel for him". She said a number of radio stations in Barbados were showing solidarity with the Jamaican artiste and playing his music.
Fellow artiste and Buju's close friend, Wayne Wonder also took to Facebook. Wonder urged, "Lets all keep the prayers going for Mark, we all have to stay strong and stand by him!"

Only last week the entertainment fraternity had their hopes lifted, as on February 13 -- one day before the start of this, his second trial --Buju won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for the project, Before the Dawn. Many saw this as good fortune for the artiste who had been plagued by tour cancellations to support his previous release, Rasta Got Soul. Buju Banton reacted to the win at the Grammys by noting how honoured he was, adding that it meant that his music has transcended a lot of borders and people are now paying attention to what he has to say.

The Observer sought comments from a number of players in the music industry to the verdict as handed down in the Florida courtroom.

George Nooks, Recording artiste - “It’s sad, I’m sad. It’s a sad day in reggae, period. Honestly, I’m struggling to come to grips with the verdict. I was holding out hope that Buju would have been set free... Can’t say I was expecting this at all; just want to encourage Buju to stay strong. He said it best in his song, It’s Not an Easy Road.

Nadine Sutherland, Recording artiste - “I wish that the verdict was different, I am gutted at this time. I am pleased though to have seen throughout his ordeal the love and the support he received from the Jamaican people.”

Richie B, Radio disc jock — Hot 102 FM - “The verdict is simply heart-wrenching. All I am remembering is the conversation I had with Buju in Florida at the Before the Dawn concert. He was so confident and it gave me a sense of hope for the outcome, so it is hard to deal with this very sad, upsetting verdict. I would encourage Buju and his team to appeal this decision in order to arrive at a better result.”

Dr Sonjah Stanley-Niaah, Lecturer in Cultural Studies — UWI - “This is indeed a sad day for the music, Buju, his family, friends and fans worldwide, and leaves me very introspective at this time. It should also be seen as a wake-up call for those who are not one the straight and narrow, as well as for artistes to constantly assess their craft. I am confident, however, that Buju will use this time to reflect and trust that his lawyers will put together an appeal that will allow us to look with hope to a rising sun.”

Clinton Lindsay, Foundation Radio Network - “I was in the last minutes of my show when I got the news, tears immediately came to my eyes. I just can’t believe it went that way. From all the reports I was getting, it seemed things were looking good in his direction... I am just too shocked right now. I really feel bad for Buju, his family and his many, many fans. I am praying that the judge will have mercy and be lenient when passing down sentence. I wish Buju the best and that he gains strength and does not lose faith, it’s truly a sad day for many of us.”

Bobby Clarke Irie Jam Radio, New York - “Nothing can describe the feeling of despair that came over New York when the heart-breaking news of the verdict came in. We are now in a state of absolute shock and dismay. Injustice, corruption, bias, and evil has won today... the oppressor and the darkness they push has claimed victory, but only for today. We will cry today, we will be overcome by deep sorrow today, but only for today. We will stand beside our fallen soldier, he is a hero in our eyes no matter the verdict. We will rise as a people and as a country. We shall never be defeated by evil, they will not win. Buju, we salute you.”

Lady G Recording, artiste - “I’m so disappointed and I am still praying. I am still in shock, I can’t think of anything more to say right now.”

ENDS

Notes:

The perception that the gay community is responsible for all of Buju Banton's woes during this trial are not true and are unfounded, he got himself in his own mess. Also see sister Blog Gay Jamaica Watch's take on the verdict and more. There has always been a cloud even from the entertainement industry from the get go when Buju "converted" to Rastafari and to see the reactions of sorts from the industry most of who were quiet in the beginning looks so loaded with hypocrisy. A section of the public too though small maybe had also had doubts as to whether Buju was indeed involved in drugs quietly hence the cartoon depiction from Clovis above, somethings just don't add up.

See: Dancehall mum from Buju's woes began on GJW

Cock Mouth Kill Cock? maybe so as he (Buju) was reported to have said to the informant (unaware to Buju at the time) "You have given me the opportunity to make myself again," Buju said to Johnson in an audio recording.

He complained to the informant that he did not make any money on his last tour and that gay-rights organisation, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, "is trying to run me under."

So maybe he wanted an alternate form of income seeing he wasn't getting anywhere far via the music sales and concerts.

Have a look at the transcript of the conversation between Buju and the informant and also the other party at the time.

View PDF file here: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/PDFs/banton.pdf

I am sure there is more to come as the sentencing and appeals process is expected to take three months or so.

Peace and tolerance

H