Personally, I thinks it's wonderful that Buju Banton was convicted on drug charges in Florida and may well find himself in prison for many years. Like too many celebrities - many of whom are legends in their own minds - Banton got too arrogant for his own good. His hatred and ridicule of gays in his murder reggae are but a symptom of Banton's over sized ego. Meanwhile, Banton's delusional fans rant and whine that their false idol was framed and/or a victim of some kind of gay conspiracy. Anything rather than face the truth that Banton is anything but a victim. Voice Online has coverage of the ongoing whine fest. Here are some highlights:
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[M]any thought Buju had it all. Fame, fans and the freedom to make the music he loved. But all of those privileges now hang in the balance as the beloved deejay, devout Rasta and father of several children faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted on three counts of drugs and weapon charges.
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Buju, along with two others, was initially arrested in 2009 for an alleged cocaine trafficking deal, after video recordings, reportedly showing the star tasting cocaine, were taken by an informant and by Drug Enforcement Administration personnel.
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[I]n the second trial, held last week, the 37-year-old – who, last month, won the Grammy award for best reggae album – was convicted of conspiracy to possess five or more kilogrammes of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm, and of another drug trafficking offence.
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[T]here have also been many – particularly in Jamaica – who have condemned the deejay, insisting that he simply got what he deserved. One comment on The Gleaner website read: “This whole idolizing of Buju just shows how our society glorifies wrong doers. So what if he is a said to be a good musician? He did wrong and has embarrassed honest Jamaicans and fellow hard-working musicians, as well as his religion.”
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[T]here has also been a considerable amount of suspicion. Many believe that Buju was set up and even suspect that it’s the star’s history of homophobia that has landed him in this predicament. Ever since the release of his 1992 hit Boom Bye Bye, Buju has famously been lobbied by gay rights campaigners, who have protested against the deejay’s homophobic lyrics. Many believe that it is Buju’s negative reputation within the gay community that has influenced the outcome of the trial.
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However, gay rights organisation OutRage!, which has long campaigned against homophobia in reggae music, rubbishes the idea that the gay community has somehow influenced the guilty verdicts in Buju’s case.
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Let's face it. Banton acted like a thug and exalted violence in some of his music. Gays did not need to do anything to create a bad image for Banton - he did it all by himself.
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[M]any thought Buju had it all. Fame, fans and the freedom to make the music he loved. But all of those privileges now hang in the balance as the beloved deejay, devout Rasta and father of several children faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted on three counts of drugs and weapon charges.
*
Buju, along with two others, was initially arrested in 2009 for an alleged cocaine trafficking deal, after video recordings, reportedly showing the star tasting cocaine, were taken by an informant and by Drug Enforcement Administration personnel.
*
[I]n the second trial, held last week, the 37-year-old – who, last month, won the Grammy award for best reggae album – was convicted of conspiracy to possess five or more kilogrammes of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm, and of another drug trafficking offence.
*
[T]here have also been many – particularly in Jamaica – who have condemned the deejay, insisting that he simply got what he deserved. One comment on The Gleaner website read: “This whole idolizing of Buju just shows how our society glorifies wrong doers. So what if he is a said to be a good musician? He did wrong and has embarrassed honest Jamaicans and fellow hard-working musicians, as well as his religion.”
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[T]here has also been a considerable amount of suspicion. Many believe that Buju was set up and even suspect that it’s the star’s history of homophobia that has landed him in this predicament. Ever since the release of his 1992 hit Boom Bye Bye, Buju has famously been lobbied by gay rights campaigners, who have protested against the deejay’s homophobic lyrics. Many believe that it is Buju’s negative reputation within the gay community that has influenced the outcome of the trial.
*
However, gay rights organisation OutRage!, which has long campaigned against homophobia in reggae music, rubbishes the idea that the gay community has somehow influenced the guilty verdicts in Buju’s case.
*
Let's face it. Banton acted like a thug and exalted violence in some of his music. Gays did not need to do anything to create a bad image for Banton - he did it all by himself.
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