Salute to the generals - Bugle hails Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton

Recording artiste Bugle has hailed Vybz Kartel as a role model for the music industry despite the deejay's incarceration. He also named Buju Banton as another, and not without giving a lyrical tribute.

The reggae and dancehall artiste did a medley of B***y Rider, Love Me Browning, Me Too Bad and Driver at the Jamaica Rum festival last Saturday, which sent the festival audience in 'big-it-up' mode.

"People who have watched my journey as a recording artiste from the beginning will know I started off with the name Bugle Banton, that part of the performance was to show that respect and love for his music and craft," Bugle told THE STAR after a well-received set.

Bugle's own hits, Don't Blame Life, Nuh Compatible, Anointed and What We Gonna Do, also sparked a singalong session with cell phones and hands high in the air.

Speaking about Vybz Kartel, Bugle said that, "man like Kartel do a lot of good and he probably made a bad decision."

Buju was released from lock-up last year after serving time for drug-related offences in the United States, while Kartel is awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a life sentence he is now serving for murder. Kartel's lawyers have argued that the right to a fair trial was prejudiced by a number of factors, including the admission of "contaminated" evidence during the murder trial.

Bugle, making reference to the likes of Popcaan, Blak Ryno, Jah Vinci, and Tommy Lee, among others, said Kartel was pivotal in their rise and it helped to "build up dancehall and the community."

He said that, as a country, "We need more of that".

Bugle lamented that no matter how much good one does, the mindset of the people is to place more emphasis on the negative.

"There are several other entertainers I could have talked about on stage, Sizzla Kalonji mek me do message music, Bounty Killer convince me to show the people certain things ... all when him perform People Dead cold bump take me. But that's not what I came here for tonight. I also came with the purpose to deliver the message in my own music," he said.

"One thing I want to tell people is that it is time for us to put classism to rest. Looking at even the news where men are killing women, their partners, and nuff of dem is clean clothes licensed firearm holders, is not the persons we assume to be doing wrong."

The Picture Perfect artiste said the news, though disheartening, shows people the need for social intervention through platforms like music.

"It can't be a case of 'me nuh warn hear that again', it has to be a lesson and for those of us who have a platform can speak to educate the people more," he said.