Just when it looked like 2009 was set to be a pivotal year for Buju Banton, the reggae star is facing a federal drug charge. Buju, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in federal custody since Thursday and is scheduled to appear in court today. According to police, he was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Before being arrested, Banton was making strides to reconcile with the members of the LGBT community who were offended by anti-gay lyrics in his songs. As previously reported, he met with LGBT activists before a scheduled performance where the artist defended his music saying,
“I don’t advocate violence, Rastafari is not about that.”
He was scheduled to meet with the activists again later this year.
