Buju Banton shares a message for his fans ahead of his release from prison next month.
Buju Banton will be released from prison on December 8, per the official prison site. The reggae/dancehall icon appears to be eager to return to his old life and back to making music. In a statement released on his Instagram page over the weekend, Buju says going forward he will only be associated with his craft, which is being an entertainer.
“In light of the adversity I have encountered, I feel the need to stress that my only desire going forward is peace and love,” Buju Banton wrote. “I only want to be associated with my 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.”
Upon his release from a federal prison in three weeks, Buju Banton will be deported to Jamaica. The Grammy-winning reggae singer has a number of upcoming post-prison shows including a major concert in Trinidad and Tobago and a forthcoming tour set for the summer of next year.
Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, served ten years in prison for a 2011 drug trafficking conviction in Florida. The legendary singer lost numerous appeal after he argued that he was unfairly targeted and entrapped in a drug trafficking ring by a paid government informant. Eventually, Buju threw in the towel and decided to serve his full sentence and in return, the judge dropped a gun charge that could’ve added some additional years to his sentence.
