Buju has arrived home in Jamaica

GRAMMY award-winning Jamaican artiste Buju Banton arrived in the island last night after being released from McRae Correctional Facility in Georgia, United States, yesterday.

The deejay, who served eight years in prison on drug charges, looked well as he smiled and waved to airport staff who screamed and shouted his name as he walked through the general aviation (private) section of the airport avoiding a large crowd that had gathered at the main arrival area.

Wearing a white tam and white shirt covered by a white sweater, his beard had patches of grey.

Later in the night he was seen driving going to see his father. He seemed to be in good spirits, smiling and stopping to talk to fans.

Welcome home Buju!

Buju Banton Released From US Prison

Buju Banton has been released from prison after eight years at the McRae Correctional institution. An officer at the institution said the entertainer whose given name is Mark Myrie, was let out on earlier today.

The United States embassy in Kingston is tight-lipped about when reggae superstar Buju Banton will be returned to the country.

Buju, 45,was arrested in December 2009, months after he was met by a convicted drug trafficker on a flight from Spain who sought to set up a cocaine deal for him.

Following his conviction in February 2011, Buju was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Federal prosecutors required two trials to convict the reggae icon, who was targeted and pursued by an undercover federal informant for more than a year.

Buju, a Grammy award-winning entertainer was convicted of drug trafficking on February 22, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, 12 days after the retrial of his case began. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

His initial release date was set as February 2019, but was later revised to December 8, 2018.
Buju recently released a statement saying that upon release he only wants to be associated with his craft.

"Having survived, I want to share the good news and strength of my music. I just want to continue making music, which I've devoted my life to. I look forward to the opportunity to say a personal thanks to my fans and everyone who supported me," Buju said.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20181207/buju-banton-released-us-prison-0

Buju Banton Moves To Circumvent ICE Detention Ahead Of Prison Release

Buju Banton is moving to circumvent any ICE detention that might come his way.

Buju Banton, real name Mark Myrie, has just over a month to serve before he is released from federal prison, on December 8, 2018. The reggae/dancehall legend is eager to return to his family and fans in Jamaica, so he has hired a team of high powered attorneys to oversee his release from prison and pending deportation back to Jamaica. Urban Islandz previously reported that Buju is planning to embark on an extensive tour called “Long Walk To Freedom Tour” which will comprise of shows in the wider Caribbean, Africa, and Europe.

But before he embarks on his upcoming tour, Banton will be performing in Jamaica for his first post-prison concert. The Grammy-winning singer’s publicist, Ronnie Tomlinson, confirmed that his legal team is now working to ensure that his transition from prison to Jamaica is as smooth as possible. Upon his release from the McRae Correctional Institute located in Georgia on December 8, Buju Banton will be placed in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The singer wants that time to be as little as possible.

We’re told that sometimes ICE processed inmates in a day and sometimes it could take months. Buju Banton has no interest in fighting his immigration status in the United States which will make it easier for him to be sent to Jamaica immediately after completing his sentence. This also means that he will not be able to travel and work in the United States possibly for an extended period.

“Buju has made sure that his stay with ICE will be as short as possible,” Tomlinson said. “He has opted for voluntary deportation. He should be home in very short order after his sentence ends.”
Sources told Urban Islandz that Buju Banton would likely be home in Jamaica within days of his release from prison.

Source: https://urbanislandz.com/2018/10/27/buju-banton-circumvent-ice-detention-prison/

Jamaica the first stop on Buju Banton's 'Freedom' tour

Incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton will reportedly be embarking on a major world tour in 2019.


The reggae legend’s team announced via social media that he would embark on a tour dubbed “Long Walk To Freedom”.


“The anticipation continues to build, looking forward to seeing you all soon. Stay Tuned!” the post read.


Donovan Germain, the artiste's close friend and former manager, said that Buju Banton's first performance will be in Jamaica.


"I cannot give any details at this time, but I can confirm that his first show will be in Jamaica," Germain told Loop Jamaica reporter Claude Mills.


Dates will be announced in the coming weeks and there will be special guests performing with the singer. Loop News understands that the first show in Jamaica is tentatively scheduled for March 23, 2019.


The “Long Walk To Freedom” tour will be Buju Banton’s first major trek after his release from prison on December 8. He has a show already booked for Trinidad and Tobago in the spring of next year. There is also a show set for March 30th at the Nassau National Stadium in the Bahamas.


Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. He will return to Jamaica after his release.


He is a major reggae star, winning a Grammy award in 2011 for his album 'Before the Dawn'. He was previously nominated in the Best Reggae Album category in 2004, and 2010 for his albums Friends for Life and Rasta Got Soul.



Source: http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/jamaica-first-stop-buju-bantons-freedom-tour