Local producers hopeful for Jah Cure’s liberation

Reggae-dancehall recording artiste Jah Cure is not the only person counting down the days to his possible return to Jamaica, as he awaits his second court date in the Netherlands where he is facing attempted murder charges.

Montego Bay-based record label and studio owners Robert and Andre 'Rico' Thomas are trusting that positive news will be delivered out of the artiste's next court appearance in March.

"I am definitely worried for him but not because I think he is in a bad position, but I do sympathise with him because no one wants to be in that type of situation. Also, outside of music he is a good family friend and we are hopeful that a preferable solution will come out of it where he gets no time, can return home and continue his career," Robert told THE STAR. "Weeks before the incident flooded the news, he was recording the music video, where he is in Holland [The Netherlands], for a project he was working on with us." The project, a song titled Blood In The Water was released a week ago, but was completed in August when he visited them at Mazion Studios.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment recording which started out with us playing some riddims for him; the right energy was there," Andre said. As the producers, the brothers said that the song's release was not a deliberate attempt to garner attention spilled over from the ongoing investigation into Jah Cure's alleged altercation that has resulted in his detainment for the past four months.

"For a while we wanted to release the song under our record label Nuvotal LLC to the public. But we were patiently waiting as we were not sure what was happening. But with the video completed, and the message it sends, we could not think of a more appropriate time," Andre added.

Since his detainment, Jah Cure has reminded fans that in spite of controversy surrounding his name, he has managed to contribute to Jamaican culture and in making persons aware of reggae and dancehall through many achievements. These include reaching double platinum status for hits such as Longing For and gold for Unconditional Love.

"He has managed to let the music do the talking over the years and we follow his example. Of course, we aspire to attain those certifications for our music and to make money but this is far more than important than financial gain," Andre said. "We hope that with the track being out it is sending something positive out there for Jah Cure and for anyone who listens to it."