Buju scheduled to be released

Incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton says he only  wants to be associated with music after he is released from prison.

Buju, who is scheduled to be released from US federal prison by December 8, yesterday released a statement saying: “I only want to be associated with my craft.”

Buju, real name Mark Myrie, was convicted of drug trafficking on February 22, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, 12 days the retrial of his case began. 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.

As the day of his release draws near, Buju said his “only desire going forward is peace and love.”

“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.

FIRST TOUR

Buju is expected to embark on his ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ tour next March, his first major show after he is released from prison.

Meanwhile, Buju’s daughter, Jodian Myrie said that she cannot fully explain how anxious she and her siblings are to see their dad.

“Persons keep predicting when he will be returning, but as far as we know it, him can come two weeks before or two weeks after, even later than that,” said Myrie.

She says that her father has remained positive while the paperwork is being processed.

“People keep saying December 8 based on the calculated time he is expected to serve, but depending on the amount of paperwork, that is the determining factor, it can change. But we are yet to know the exact date until all that is complete,” Myrie explained.

She said that the message her father has sent is much deeper than him returning to his grassroots as a conscious reggae and dancehall entertainer.

“It was his way to make it clear that he does not want the focus to be on his experience in prison when he returns,” she said.

She noted that the family is in a celebratory mood, as Buju’s son, Jahazeil, welcomed home a baby on Thursday.