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/

Buju’s children look forward to his homecoming

Jodian & Mark Myrie

Ten years is a long time for a father to be separated from his children.

Hence, Buju Banton's offspring are already counting down the months to their father's release and return to Jamaica.

Buju is expected to be released in December 2018, having one year removed from his 10-year sentence.

The eldest of Buju's children, Jodian Myrie, is anticipating an emotional roller coaster on the day her father lands.

She shared that Buju had asked all his children to promise not to visit during his incarceration. She kept that promise unlike her brothers Markus and Jahazeil, who decided that was not an option.

"When I was 16, we surprised him. I just really wanted to see him because it had been long time," said Jahazeil, now 20. "He is ready to come home and I know in his spirit that he wants to perform. No one wants to be away from their family or work for so long under those conditions."

As an emerging member of the recording fraternity, Jahazeil believes that a homecoming event should be planned, although nothing has been discussed among the siblings.

"To be quite honest, we don't have anything prepared. It is not something that we know how to deal with, a person coming off serving time. Closer to the release, the family will know what to do. One thing I am sure of is he will want some nice food cooked," Jodian said, adding that they would not necessarily be forcing anything on him.


STRONG BOND


Jahazeil said he cried on a few occasions when he visited his father.

"Sometimes it rough, sometimes it smooth. No one can imagine the joy it gave me to know him coming out early, it lifted my spirits. He taught us how to be strong and militant, but all I want to see is him reconnect and build a strong bond for the years he missed out on," Jahazeil said.

Jodian said the family has grown, noting Buju even has grandchildren.

"I had made certain to send recorded media of my daughter to him, so I know when they finally meet I will melt into a puddle," she said.

The children have recognised that as a legendary recording artiste, Buju will desire to reconnect with his fans both old and new.

However, Mark Myrie the man, according to Jodian, "will need some time to regroup." Jahazeil believes people will be glad for his father to perform.

However, Jodian said she was unsure how involved the Government would want to be, and said discrimination will come from various persons.

The family seems to have agreed to keep Buju's return date a secret when all arrangements for his return to Jamaica are made.

This is to avoid unnecessary press and potential security concerns.


Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20171114/buju%E2%80%99s-children-look-forward-his-homecoming

Buju Banton to launch clothing line on his birthday July 15, 2017

Incarcerated reggae artiste, Buju Banton, is set to launch his own clothing line. The entertainer's team recently made the announcement via his official Instagram account.

The brand titled 'Everything BB' will feature T-shirts displaying Buju Banton's photo as well as lyrics from his songs like Hills And Valleys, Love Sponge, Walk Like a Champion and Driver. Items will be available for purchase on the line's official website, www.everythingbb.net.

Persons interested in finding out the details of the line as they are made available, are encouraged to follow the line's Instagram page everythingbbofficial.

Buju Banton is slated to be released on December 8, 2018.

Which Song Will Buju Start His Next Jamaican Performance With? (Pt 1)

Photo: Riina Asamoa

Early last month The STAR, referring to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) website, reported that Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie now has a release date of December 8, 2018. It is anyone's guess when and where his first post-release performance in Jamaica will be. However, as the universe has aligned it, Rebel Salute 2019 will be held a little over a month after Buju's current release date and it will be a significant landmark at that - its 25th anniversary.His 2005 Rebel Salute showing, when he came on after Jimmy Cliff, was memorable.

Just saying.

So I wonder what Buju's first song on a stage in Jamaica after his release will be. Which tune from his catalogue could he open up with before the hordes of people who are sure to turn up to see and hear the Gargamel? The possibilities are juicy; and what they say about his attitude towards incarceration and current state of mind intriguing. Here are a few.

1. 'Til Shiloh'

The brief title track of his 1995 album, performing this first would reaffirm Buju's Rastafarian steadfast faith through his trial (literally) and travail of incarceration. Naturally, it would run into another song and the sound system selectors tend to follow up with, Hills and Valleys, which, with the lines "only Rasta can liberate the people and why try to make I unhappy/Really I don't know/If it was up to them my friend/We would never see the sun or the snow", would suit the occasion well.

2. 'Our Father In Zion'

Another short one, this is from the 1997 Inna Heights album, which followed Til Shiloh. Its content would say almost the same thing as, Til Shiloh, but would strike a stronger note with those grounded in the Christian faith. There is something which moves in the soul when a mass of people sing "hallowed be they name" and I can almost hear it now.

3. '23rd Psalm'

A track from his 2000 Unchained Spirit album, Buju and Gramps Morgan's voices blend beautifully on this take on what is known as, The Lord's Prayer. As an opening song, it would be an extended version and have a sustained effect of beginning with, Our Father in Zion, but maybe not as intense as that "hallowed" section.

4. 'Close One Yesterday'

Another track from Inna Heights, opening with this would be a statement of having been saved by faith ("I had a close one yesterday/Jah put an angel over me") and also personal fortitude ("Be strong, hold a firm meditation/One day things must get better/Don't go down, keep your head above the water").

5. 'Destiny'

Another one from Inna Heights to close out this week's possibilities. This would be a statement that from this point onwards, no guy will have a say in what he does - Buju will not put his life under the control of anyone, law enforcement included.

Next week, we will look at a few more opening options, among them Give I Strength, Me An Ooonu, Boom Bye Bye, Ova Me, Magic City, Driver and Circumstances. 

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20170302/which-song-will-buju-start-his-next-jamaican-performance-pt-1

No New Trial For Buju

Grammy award-winning Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton has lost his appeal to have his conviction overturned to secure a new trial.

With this ruling, that was handed down in a Florida court earlier this week, Buju Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, will continue to serve his 10-year prison sentence.

He is currently serving a mandatory sentence for his conviction on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Buju is scheduled to be released in 2019, however he filed his own motion from prison asking to be released early under a recent change in federal drug sentencing guidelines.

He was convicted in February 2011, days after he won a Grammy award for his album, “Before the Dawn.”

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/No-new-trial-for-Buju

Buju Banton on the move, being transferred to new location

Convicted reggae superstar Buju Banton has been transferred from the Florida federal prison where he has been serving a 10-year sentence. 

His final destination is still unknown, but the Grammy-winning entertainer, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is now at the Federal Transfer Centre (FTC) in Oklahoma City. 

A spokeswoman at the Federal Bureau of Prisons this morning declined to discuss the reasons for the transfer or divulge which facility he is being transferred to. 

"As a matter of policy, we don't discuss that," the spokeswoman told The Gleaner. 

According to the Bureau of Prisons' website, the FTC is an administrative facility that houses male and females holdover offenders. 

Buju was convicted on drug charges stemming from an attempted drug deal in 2009. 

A Florida judge recently dismissed his appeal for a new trial, but the entertainer has already served notice that he will continue his fight to overturn the conviction. 

Buju's 10-year sentence started December 2009, his projected release date according to the Bureau of Prisons' website is March 2019. 

Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer 

Source: http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=47618 

Buju Banton set to release new album in 2014

Despite being incarcerated on federal drug charges until 2019, embattled Dancehall/Reggae singer, Buju Banton is planning to drop a new studio album in the summer of 2014, according to reports Friday.

Tracii McGregor, a member of Buju’s management team revealed that most of the songs on the singjay’s album were recorded when he was out on bail in 2011, awaiting his trial on drug and gun charges. McGregor told the Jamaica Observer, "Buju is very involved in the process, of course. He is just as focused and detail oriented as he ever was.”

Producers expected to feature on the album include Stephen Marley and Blacker Dread, with production from Buju himself also featuring on the compilation.

This new studio album would mark Buju’s 13th in his over two decades as a mainstream artist. His last album was Before The Dawn, released in 2010, which featured singles such as Innocent, Battered and Bruised as well as Do Good. The album won the self-professed ‘Gargamel’ his first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in February 2011, just days prior to his conviction on three drug related charges in relation to a 2009 incident in Florida.

Several singles have been released since Buju’s incarceration, including Set Up The Mic, Lose Your Love and Inna Half, the latter two singles produced by his son, Markus Myrie.

Buju is reportedly in transit at the Oklahoma City Federal Transfer Centre, having been transferred from a federal prison in Florida, where he as served the majority of his sentence to date.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/buju-banton-set-to-release-new-album-2014