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Gun Charge Dropped In Buju Case- T&T Entertainers Reflect

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Jamaican entertainer, Mark Myrie, best known by his stage name, Buju Banton- yesterday walked out of a Tampa, Florida courtroom victorious. No, he was not freed from the prison cell he’d been occupying since  2009 but the gun possession charge that had been part and parcel of his nightmare, was dropped. ETCETERABUZZ.COM, in our bid to bring the Caribbean full circle, spoke with a couple of our Trinidad based artistes who reflected on Buju Banton’s legacy, one of them telling us that the ‘Optimistic Soul’ hit maker had even offered him words of positive inspiration when he was about to embark on starting his own band.

Kerry John says Buju has been an inspiration.

Kerry John says Buju has been an inspiration.

Banton was arrested in 2009 on a charge of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Yesterday, we spoke with Trinidad and Tobago reggae and soca entertainer, Kerry John who said he felt good to know that the gun charge had been dropped. “I hope he eventually comes out and corrects his wrongs because once you have time, you have life,” he said. The young artiste who admitted to being a great fan of Myrie, said he had always looked up to Buju and marvelled at the Jamaican sensation’s artistic ability. “He’s so multi talented. He can sing and he’s lyrically verse and he plays the drums and other instruments,” he said, noting that everyone is not perfect and as such he refused to judge anyone. John’s recent video release for his single ‘Put It On Me’ on the Magic Riddim has him riding a high wave these days but in spite of his elated spirit, there was a sense of sadness felt for the confined reggae crooner.

Buju Banton encouraged Shurwayne to start his band.

Buju Banton encouraged Shurwayne to start his band.

We also caught up with Shurwayne Winchester who in recent years has collaborated on a number of tracks with some of Jamaica’s artistes. Winchester said Buju Banton’s music has always been very influential on his career, especially the lyrical content and the way he structured his lyrics. “He’s an elder who has offered such great reggae vibes. He was a very consistent artiste. I saw him at several shows and when I was thinking about starting the band, Buju told me- ‘what is for you is for you, get up and get it.'”

Shurwayne said he’d shared the stage with Buju at a Caribbean show prior to his incarceration some years ago and was impressed at how through music, he fed the minds of the youths and tried to teach them to believe in themselves.

Buju Banton’s last appearance in Trinidad and Tobago was at the I Am Legend concert event hosted by Home Grown Entertainment in 2009. He had provided reggae lovers with a show, the magnitude of which, has since, never been outdone, according to many. Many of his fans in T&T- like the rest of the world, anticipate his freedom with hopes of seeing him live on stage at a massive venue like Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Savannah, again. On Facebook, fans of the reggae superstar plea for his freedom, some echoing the words of his hit single, ‘They shoulda never hurt Buju.”

Buju Banton's new single- 'Pressure Dem'

Buju Banton’s new single- ‘Pressure Dem’

Yesterday’s verdict now leaves his attorney mulling over whether an appeal should be filed to have his drug conviction overturned. According to the Jamaica Observer, Buju’s defence attorney, Kwame Lumumba said they are not certain whether this will be done, at this time, however it is being considered. Buju has already served 40 months of a 10 year sentence and recently a new single called, “Pressure Dem” was released on the Fuss Cuss riddim, on the entertainer’s behalf.

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Ebuzz News

Machel Set to Unleash New Studio Album, Releases Video for ‘Her Mudda’ With Pumpa.

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Trinidadian superstar Machel Montano has dropped the sizzling video for “Her Mudda”with the Virgin Islands’ Pumpa ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Carnival. The single appears on Montano’s upcoming studio album, One Degree Hotter, which is set for for release later this month via his record label, Monk Music.

“With its striking visuals directed by D. Padmore and ColorMeStadic, pulsating rhythms produced by Stadic & Jonny Blaze, and vibrant performances throughout, “Her Mudda” is a testament to the infectious spirit of soca music and the power of dance,” a media release issued by the team, highlights.

Pumpa and Machel have collaborated on “Yuh Mudda.”


“Her Mudda” along with Machel’s recently released singles – “Fling It Up” ft. Davido, “Pepper Vine” ft. Lady Lava and Drupatee, “PARDY”, “The Truth”, “Bumpa”, and “Fallen Fetters” with Skinny Fabulous  – will all be featured on One Degree Hotter.

The album’s title is a play on words, not only referencing his hot streak of hit records, but also a nod to his recent completion of a Master’s degree in Carnival Studies at the University of Trinidad & Tobago. 

“After two years earning my Master’s degree in Carnival Studies, immersing myself in my culture, and studying where we’ve come from, I’m more inspired than ever about where we can go next. I couldn’t wait to get back in the studio and work on my next album, fueled by everything I’ve learned. ‘One Degree Hotter’ is a double entendre—it marks my Master’s degree, but also my mission to turn up the heat on my music and take it to the corners of the globe,”  Machel said.

“Songs like ‘Fling It Up’ ft. Davido and ‘Pepper Vine’ with Lady Lava and Drupatee reflect that vision—pushing Soca forward by connecting it with the global sounds of Africa and India. To me, this album represents a step forward in the evolution of my sound and mission,”  he adds.

One Degree Hotter follows Machel’s 2021 star-studded album The Wedding Album, which featured Afro B, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Teddy Riley, Vybz Kartel and many more.

The announcement follows Machel’s appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, a major milestone for the Soca genre as Machel made history becoming the first soca artist to perform on the platform. The video has garnered over 1 million views in the short time since its release. NPR spoke on the significance of Machel’s performance saying, “Montano’s performance is the first to bring soca, the high energy dance music of the Caribbean, to the Tiny Desk. The genre was born in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s when calypso artist Lord Shorty (who later chose the name Ras Shorty I) added traditional Indian percussion instruments and rhythms to calypso music — itself a fusion that incorporates elements of African, Venezuelan, French and American music.” 

In preparation for the 2025 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, Machel Montano will defend his Calypso Monarch crown. Fans have already deemed the musical maestro’s single “PARDY” one of the top contenders for the coveted Road March race, which if he wins, Montano will be tied with the legendary Lord Kitchener for the most all time at 11 titles.

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Jamaica’s Beenie Man Berates T&T’s Delicacy of Choice on Major Podcast. Artiste Now Facing Backlash.

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One ‘Drink Champs’ appearance has landed internationally acclaimed dancehall artiste, Beenie Man, in hot water. The ‘Gyal Dem Sugar’ singer appeared on the popular US platform recently, after returning to the US after many years, having been previously barred from entry.

”I love Trinidad. I love Trinidad but dog don’t eat doubles. I don’t eat anything that dog don’t eat,” he told hosts Nore and DJ EFN. The duo had asked the entertainer whether he ate the Trinidad and Tobago delicacy. He went on to say that while the popular street food is nice, and he’s had it a couple times, even outlining the ‘triples’ version, he said he would not eat it because if it’s thrown to the dogs, they refuse to eat it.

Today, in a swift denouncement of an artiste that has been on many stages in T&T for decades, the people of Trinidad and Tobago have demanded an apology. On popular radio station, Vibe CT 105FM, hosts Ken Simmons and George Gonzales debated the matter, George calling for DJs to desist from playing the artiste’s music until a proper apology is received. Many callers echoed his sentiments.

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