Buju Banton Convicted on Three Felony Drug Charges

While I have enjoyed some reggae music for many years, I'm no fan of Mark Myrie a/k/a Buju Banton whose lyrics glorify and advocate the murder of gays. Banton, in my opinion is symptomatic of a toxic mindset that is all too prevalent in Jamaica. While Jamaica is a physically beautiful country, the anti-gay hate and bigotry that seems to have intensified since I visited the country decades ago make it a place that I would not visit even if offered money to do so. As regular readers know, I strongly advocate boycotting nations like Jamaica where religious based bigotry and ignorance is encouraged by the government and the local laws. Banton has yet to be sentenced but could be easily facing 15 years in prison. If there's any divine justice, he may get a small taste of the treatment has encouraged his listeners to inflict on gays. Better yet, maybe he'll end up being someone's bitch. No one should be allowed to laud and encourages violence against others. Indeed, giving Banton a Grammy sent a very sick and perverted message. Here are highlights from the Miami Herald:
*
Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton was convicted Tuesday of conspiring to set up a cocaine deal in 2009, a verdict that elicited anguish and disbelief among supporters in a crowded courtroom and from other artists in his native Jamaica.
*
A federal jury deliberated for 11 hours over two days on the fate of Banton, who won a Grammy last week for best reggae album for his work entitled "Before the Dawn." He was found guilty of three of four charges, and his attorney said he's facing at least 15 years in prison.
*
Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. No date has been set for his sentencing.
*
For those not aware of Banton, one of his songs has a refrain that in part chants: “Boom bye bye inna batty bwoy head.” Translation: “Shoot and kill a gay man in the head.” He's one nasty piece of work in my opinion.