Hasani Walters and Sadeke Brooks, STAR Writers

( L - R ) General Degree, Tony Rebel, Delly Ranx - File photos

Following the 10-year sentence handed down by US District judge James Moody on Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie when he appeared in a Tampa Federal courtroom yesterday morning, members of the entertainment fraternity have been expressing their sympathies toward the artiste and his family.

General Degree told The WEEKEND STAR, "In my view I'm just sorry to know and mi just wish Buju to be a road right now because every man deserve freedom and every man deserve a second chance in anything."

He continued, "Mi just a look pon it from an artiste point of view, wi need a powerful voice like dat out deh right now, we need da conscious message weh Buju always a push enuh. Mi wish Buju did deh a road."

However, for singer Tony Rebel, a prison sentence is not the end of the road for anyone, as he gave examples saying, "We've seen Marcus Garvey our first national hero, went to prison and came back and he is what he is, we've seen Mandela walk out of prison into presidency in South Africa, we've seen the great Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, all of these people."

He added that he hopes Banton will use all of those moments to put his life into perspective and use it to inspire him as he himself has inspired many individuals.

Several entertainers also took to social networking website Twitter and Facebook to express their views.

great life

Among those on Twitter included Mr Vegas who tweeted, "Just touch down and saw the report on Buju. I will look on the positive side and say "it coulda worse". Him do 2+ (years or time served) already."

He also intends to do Informer, a song he described as a 'Buju song'.

Producer/artiste Delly Ranx was also among the tweeters saying, "Thanks to everyone who prayed for Buju Banton, your prayers do work so please continue to do so. God bless you all, have a great life."

One fan on Facebook posted on the entertainer's page, "My heart is heavy with sadness for you and your family. Keeping you in my prayers. You will thrive and survive this challenge. The Most High will see you through to victory. One love, peace and blessings."

Banton, who won a Grammy award this year for his album Before the Dawn, for best reggae album, will not be able to record music while in prison. However, he will be allowed to keep his dreadlocks and practice his Rastafarian faith.

Buju's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, however, says the artiste may only be required to serve six of the 10 years due to time already served and if he maintains his good behaviour.

Markus says they still intend to appeal Buju's sentence.

Buju Banton - file