The second day in the Buju Banton drug conspiracy trial has commenced in Tampa, Florida. The day began with alleged recordings of telephone conversations between Banton and a Police Informant: Mr. Alexander Johnson being presented to the court. Prosecutors examined audio evidence taped over a 5 month period of Banton reportedly discussing drug deals, dollar amounts and the best way to transport drugs including cocaine from Panama to Europe in frozen crates of seafood.

Banton's fans who had turned out in droves for the trial, were also stunned by the recordings which were played out aloud to the court. According to eye witnesses the fans appeared deflated after coming off of a high on Monday when the chief investigator in the matter said he had no evidence that Banton was involved in cocaine trafficking. Yesterday as the tapes were being played, one women could be seen with her head in her hands and covering her ears. Others sat attentively, captivated by the conversations between Banton and Johnson, a convicted drug trafficker who has been working with the US Government since 1996 to sting other dealers. Banton was also heard asking Johnson if he had any connections to buy cocaine as he was willing to finance a deal. He also told Johnson that he did not have contacts in Venezuala, Panama and other parts of South America, but that he was involved with smuggling diamonds from Africa to Europe.

We have also heard reports that Prosecutors presented a video of Johnson, Banton and Thomas (co-accused) in a warehouse in Sarasota. In it, Thomas cuts a package containing approximately a kilo of cocaine. Banton is seen taking a knife cutting the package, wiping the knife and tasting his finger.

Notably, when Buju’s lawyer cross examined  Johnson later in the day, Johnson agreed that the artiste did not finance the drug deal for which he, along with the two co-accused was arrested and charged. Johnson also admitted under cross examination that Banton had never purchased any cocaine in Panama or Colombia, and that their dealings never went beyond a talk.

But prosecutors say what is clear is that Banton wanted to put up money to buy cocaine. Below you can see a transcript of the tape that was played in court:

"All I do is finance," Banton told Johnson during the restaurant meeting, transcripts show.

"So you give the money to buy dope?" Johnson asked.

"Yes," said Banton, according to transcripts.

Defense attorney David Markus has argued that while his client talked about drug dealing, he never actually funded any.

"Did Mr. Myrie invest one dollar of money into a drug deal?" Markus asked Johnson during cross examination.

"With me — no," Johnson answered.

During another conversation on August 1st at a South Florida Hotel, Banton and Johnson discussed buying kilos of cocaine from Panama and transporting them to Europe in containers filled with frozen seafood.

Johnson told Banton he had a seafood business called Frozen Fish, the transcripts show.

Johnson turned informer in 1996 after being convicted of distributing cocaine and marijuana. He was paid $50,000 in the Banton case, according to testimony.

During a conversation at a Sarasota restaurant on Dec. 8, Banton admitted to Johnson he was having money problems. "My truck is in the shop and I can't get it out," Banton said. "I'm going to concentrate, though; things are going to be straight next year."

It was on that day that Banton brought an associate named Ian Thomas along for lunch with Johnson. Banton described Thomas as a "friend who had contacts to purchase kilos of cocaine," Johnson said in court.

Johnson told Banton he would give him 5 extra kilos of cocaine if Thomas and his associate, a man named James Mack, purchased 20 kilos.

Another video shows Thomas and Mack being arrested while attempting to purchase cocaine at the warehouse two days later. Banton was arrested later that day at his South Florida home.

"So that 5-kilo deal for Mr. Myrie never happened, did it?" Markus asked Johnson.

"No," Johnson said.

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Reggae artist Junior X has a new album due to be released early next month. The talented singer is reportedly happy to have finally completed a full length album as many fans have been requesting a new album release since his debut in 2005. Junior X's career was launched with the massive hit "Please My Cause". Below we've featured an exclusive track from Junior X's upcoming album. This track is called 'Never Stop Trying', and features Gyptian. This isn't released yet so don't expect to find this tune anywhere else! Enjoy!



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Last night (Friday 10th September 2010) Riddimtube.com recieved word via a Blackberry broadcast from one of di Alliance that Tony Matterhorn, who was advertised to perform at Fresh Friday has been banned from the venue.

The following message was sent to Riddimtube.com from Arif Cooper last night:

"Tony Mattehorn was advertised to perform at Fresh Friday as he has in the past (in the building as well) because he's a member of the team. At about 6pm I was informed by the owner of the building Corey Todd that the following selectors cannot play in his establishment: Tony Matterhorn, Chris Diamond, Boom Boom or any other selector attributed with the alliance. I didn't resist. Approximately 15 minutes after I recieved another message informing us that we were no longer welcome based on discussions with his 'partner', I complied"

Tony Matterhorn tweeted the following:

“TELL DAT P***Y CORY FROM STREET VYBZ N THE BUILDING I DON’T DRINK BL**DCLAAT RUM.S**K YU MUMA,MI NUH BEG FRIENDS!AND ITS PURE MEN U PULL RT”

“WHO FROM B***O CLAAT GAZA CAN TOUCH MATTERHORN!WHEN?WHERE?HOW?IF DAT DAY COMES JUST FIND AH F***ING BULB AND HIDE IN AFTER.MI WALK ALONE”

The event has been postponed until next week at a new venue to be announced shortly.

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Reports are coming in that Bounty Killer aka 'The General' and dancehall legend Junior Reid were in a heated arguement that almost led to a full on brawl. The incident happened at Hot Mondays Dance earlier this week. Rumours are already circulating about what took place.

Rumours aside you can hear from 'Wada Blood' (Junior Reid's Son) who has made some comments on twitter about the altercation and Bounty. Below are some Twitter quotes from Wadablood's Twitter and Bounty Killer responds back below.

Wadablood Twitter (September 7th):

"KILLA AND REID NO WAR DEM JUST DID A ARGUE""

"REID HAV A CLUB WEH BOOM BOOM AND FOOTA A PLAY EVERY WEDNESDAY N TUESDAY SO KILLA VEX N WANT STOP DAT"

"REID GO BOUNTY SUNDAY A MONTH AGO N DEM TELL HIM A DI GATE DEM CNT LET HIM IN DEM HAFFY TXT KILLA FIRST SOFTY WAS AT THE GATE"

"REID ASK DEM HOW WEN KILLA COME A MY CLUB WID 100 MAN MI LET HIM IN NO 1 NO HAFFY TXT ME REID WAIT BOUT 5 MIN DEN GET MAD AND PUSH WEH THE SECURITY"

"KILLA VEX FI DAT SO HIM AND SORTY DEM SEE MI LITTLE BREDDA DEM A WEDDY WEDDY 2 WEEKS AGO AT THE GATE WEN DEM A COME TRU AND SOFTY PUSH DEM AND SAY MOVE BATTYMAN MOVE"

"SO REID SI SOFTY THIS MORNING AND STEP TO HIM BOUT IT >HIM A HYPE AND THE REST IS HISTORY DEN KILLA DEM HEAR AND COME OUT SIDE AND BAGA CUSS"

"MI NO KNO WHO GIIVE IT TO SOFTY BUT HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL THE POLICE LEAVE WITH REID AND THEN LET HIM GO"

"KILLA NO LIKE NO ARTIST WEH CAN WOLL DEM OWN AND NAH BEGG HIM OR RUN BACK A HIM A CALL HIM GENERAL HIM MUST B THE DON FI DANCEHALL"

"BUT HIM NEED FI BILL CUZ NOR HIM BOYS DEM CNT BAD WE UP NO TIME WE NO GROW SO"

Bounty Killer’s Twitter (September 8th)

"wadda is a little punk like him father he wasn’t even there so is he going to explain shit but me nuh twitter gangster!"



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Bounty Killer (real name 'Rodney Basil Price') has been the latest Dancehall artist to have tax officials seize his property. The grammy nominated Jamaican Dancehall artist allegedly owes upto $12 million in unpaid tax to the government. Reports confirmed that officials confiscated Bounty Killer's Range Rover and Land Cruiser late last month as a means of recovering taxes owed by the artist.

Bounty is the latest in a string of dancehall artists who have had some sort of run-in with the authorities over tax evasion. Elephant Man recently had his Mercedes Benz seized while Beenie Man was dragged through the courts.

Bounty Killer is an award winning dancehall deejay who has been on the scene since the early 90's. He is the founding member of Dancehall collective 'The Alliance' which includes artists like Mavado and Chase Cross.

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