Buku Banton is being tried in Tampa courts for the "alleged" "conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and aiding two others in possessing a firearm during the course of cocaine distribution".This charge seems slightly random in the grand scheme of drug-busts, especially since Buju -- a most excellent reggae singer in his prime - 'Til Shiloh anyone?!? -- is somewhat of a faded star. But then again so is Tamps, so the rationale may not be so bizarre.
What is Tampa known for now-a-days? Similar to Buju, the city of Tamps peaked in the mid-nineties, when the south decided to take it's own approach to the club kid scene through "raves."
Tampa was integral in the development of what became known as the "Kandi Kid" raver;
The central Florida Kandi Kid is a modestly white-trash twenty-something, who makes overt attempts to mimic the style tendencies of a child -- however this individual is most often NOT a child. Also, most Kandi Kids liked their drugs, and this in turn caused an internal combustion of the Tampa rave scene, and the scattering of Kandi Kids to "clean-up" and confront the "real world."
But what is it about the disappearance of Kandi Kids that has led this southern Rastafarian, Buju Banton, to take the (drug) heat for SoFla ravers?
Sadly the prevalence of syringes and overdoses on the streets of Tampa's dance-party main vein -- Y'Bor City -- caused some form of crack down (no pun intended) and the children of the night were forced into exile. Dramatic in the tone - yes slightly, but it is true. Kandi Kids were no longer openly "blowing up"in Tampa clubs and bars, this the period-based PoPo had to find a different target. The ravers fled -- mostly to Orlando, Miami, and New York, or slowly died from copious drug use -- so the cops were bored. They needed new prey.And in the good ol' conservative FLA - what seems better than a peaceful, pot-smokin', black man? I mean, according to the good ol' boys in Tampon, that is the supreme jackpot - it's like killing three birds with one ginormous fascist stone.
Buju was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and the Tampax P.D. was hungry for something more than a donut. Maybe that particular evening, they felt like getting off of their fat, lazy, fascist asses and doing some work.. Perhaps the idea of catching a "pseudo-star" seemed like a way to bring Tampa back into the spotlight?
Maybe Warren Sapp's departure from the Tampa Bay Bucs left them feeling animosity towards "the valck man."
Who knows the real reason behind it all. But I can say this with confidence -- although Buju may not rock Kik-Wears and tote around an illegal "cracker" from Starbucks that should dispense whipped cream and not mind numbing nitrous bombs, he;s just a dude -- most likely trying to find a little "pick-me-up' after smoking so much dank. Who can blame the guy? Really?
And so his compadre was toting a gun -- well, Johnny Law, I believe you can be filed under the same offense.
Ravers live by the manta PLUR -- standing for peace, love, unity and respect. Rastafarian's preach "the brotherhood of mankind" -- although some extremist Rasta's practice a reverse-racism -- the overall credo of the culture is of peace and equality.Thus Ravers and Rastas are not all that different in their general outlook on life. Buju and his rasta compatiroits may not declare the PLUR acroym, but the overall rationale is the same.
Aren't we all just a bunch of dudes who want ot have a good time, and if we need a little substance to assist - who really gives a shit?
Raves are about love and peace, and reggae preaches essentially he same tenets, so i am led to believe that the Tampa police department is in an all-out war against happiness, peace and love.
I mean why else would they be targeting some of the most lackadaisically inclined, Dionysian individuals in their city.
FREE BUJU !
