by Simone Mosley

The long awaited release of Jah cure that many have hoped and prayed for finally came to reality this past July. Born Siccature Alcock, Jah Cure was released on parole from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center after being incarcerated for the past eight years out of a fifteen year sentence on rape and gun robbery charges. According to BigUpRadio.com, “in November of 1998 while driving around Montego Bay with some friends, police pulled Cure over in front of Jimmy Buffet’s club Margaritaville. Cure claims he was asked if he was in the area the week before when a woman had been raped. He told the police he wasn’t but was held until the woman could come identify him. Cure claims the woman asked the police ‘is this him?’ then walked out of earshot to talk with the police. Cure was then arrested, prosecuted in April the next year, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.” Jah Cure rose to fame after a series of chart topping hits such as “I know Jah Jah Bless Me” and “Longing For” in 2004. During his incarceration support for the artist grew to outstanding proportions. Fans from all over called to “Free Jah Cure” at stage shows, radio stations and in night clubs. However, now that Jah Cure is free; is Jamaica and the world ready to sway to the smooth velvety voice of a convicted rapist?

The particulars surrounding the case are very sketchy and there is a lot of “he said, she said” going on. Including the allegations of a relationship between the rape victim’s mother and the arresting officer to the fact that DNA tests show that the semen found in the victim did not belong to the artist. Many of his fans managed to over look the many details and hold steadfast to the idea of Jah Cures virtue. However, there are still those who doubt his innocence. Including Kingston, Jamaica native, Mark Dixon, 24, “Jah Cure is arguably a very talented reggae artist who has blessed fans with music that speaks about personal, spiritual, social and political issues that influence the lives of Jamaican people in general. The situation that allegedly occurred between him and a young lady resulting in his incarceration took us all by surprise. The thought of our ‘favorite’ artist committing such an unspeakable crime against a female was difficult to swallow, and disappointing. The result of Jah Cure being convicted and served time in prison will without question negatively affect how people view him as an artist. No matter how you view it; Jah Cure will always be branded as the ‘reggae artist’ who served time in prison for rape. Internationally, Jah Cure now has a permanent mark on his name and career that will make it even more difficult for him to attract open and none-judgmental international audiences.” When asked about the artists rape conviction and early release Jermaine Melendez, 25, New York resident, but of Jamaican decent responded by saying “although I do enjoy his [Jah Cure] music or I did at one point; I cannot just simply turn the other cheek to his conviction and I strongly disagree with court’s decision to release him early on parole.”

There is no doubt that fans from all over the globe will continue to enjoy Jah Cure’s music and his message of love and prosperity and the same goes for those who do not support him. Truth is no one but those who were present on that life altering day eight years ago can say hat happened. However, what we can count on is record sales so when Jah Cure releases his first album as a free man we will all know if is conviction will have a long lasting effect on his career.

Email the author of this article at smosley@wejamaicans.com