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This morning reggae superstar Buju Banton was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking. Banton's particular style of reggae was dubbed "murder music" for lyrics that often called for the murders of gay men. In recent years his concert appearances were picketed by LGBT activists who sometimes convinced promoters to cancel the shows entirely. Banton's supporters claim that his drug arrest was a conspiracy set up between the DEA and gay activists.
RELATED: In February 2011, Banton won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album despite protests over having even been nominated.
Grammy winning reggae star Buju Banton, whose work has been called "murder music" for its calls for the executions of gay men, has been found guilty of three federal counts of conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Via the Jamaican Observer:
The artiste was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. However he was found not guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence. The artiste hugged his lawyer David Markus when the verdict was read. Many of the artiste's supporters left the courtroom crying. He has been detained and has had his bail revoked.Banton's supporters and some of the Jamaican press have alleged that the drug charges came out of a conspiracy between the DEA and LGBT activists. The date for his sentencing has not been announced. Last week Banton won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, stunning activists who last year published full-page music industry ads denouncing his nomination.
VIDEO: One of Banton's biggest hits, Boom Bye Bye, advocates shooting "nasty batty boys" in the head.
Last night reggae star Buju Banton, whose "murder music" calls for the executions of gay men, won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Banton's win came as a shocker to LGBT activists who last year took out full-page music industry ads denouncing his nomination. Today his cocaine trafficking retrial begins in Miami after a previous trial resulted in a hung jury. Banton's supporters in Jamaica and elsewhere claim that gay activists conspired with the DEA to frame him. He faces a life sentence on charges that he attempted to purchase several kilos of cocaine for resale.
