The Talk Of The Jamaican Community In America: Buju Banton Faces Drug Conspiracy Charges

Being married to a Jamaican woman I likely spend more time around Jamaicans than I do around any other people.  This past weekend, more than any news about track star "Usain Bolt" was the news that Rastafarian and Reggae star Buju Banton on conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

As their logic goes - this is a set up by the "Gay Lobby" that had it out for him.  If he was distributing "marijuana" this would be more believable to most Jamaicans.   They find it hard to believe that he would be into cocaine as a Rastafarian.

Buju Banton faces drug conspiracy charges

Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing drug conspiracy charges.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine.

Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac.

While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Banton as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica's poor masses, critics say he's a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals.

His song Boom Bye Bye, a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.

As late as September, Banton's local management told The Miami Herald that the criticism of the star was unwarranted because he had stopped singing the song years ago. The song remains a hit among reggae DJs.

Still, such lyrics have made Banton one of the more controversial reggae artists, with angry gay activists this fall forcing the cancellation of a string of concerts by the artists during a U.S. tour that included a Halloween night concert in Miami.

Recently the firestorm ratched up after the Grammys announced that Banton's album Rasta Got Soul, released earlier this year, was up for an award.

Gay Men of African Descent and the National Black Justice Coalition joined with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a petition drive protesting the nomination.