Jah Cure's Life After Prison - is he cured?

by Islandfaces | August 16, 2007 at 06:22 am

2833 views | 2 Recommendations | 0 comments

After eight years of confinement behind bars for rape, robbery and gun-related charges, popular reggae singer, Jah Cure is free. The conscious singer, born Siccature Alcock is finally free from a sentence which started on April 29, 1999 and ended at 5:30 a.m, on Saturday, July 28, 2007.

The controversial ordeal began on November 8, 1998 when Suzanne Ferguson and her Aunt were the victims of rape. The then, teenager, fingered Jah Cure as her perpetrator even though there were no physical evidence. Jah Cure was eventually arrested and convicted but the accomplice, who alleged raped the other woman in a pile of gravel, has never been brought to justice.

In a previous interviews, Jah Cure mentioned that his prison experience was "the roughest thing that I have ever been through." What kept him going was the support of fellow prisoners as well as family, friends and the music fraternity.

The support for Jah Cure resonated globally. This is now evident in the immediate response to his release. After his Camp posted the news of his release on the MySpace Bulletin of their friends in his network, his page got many comments of support. He also received thousands of emails to the point where they had to post this message: "Due to such large email volume, we have temporarily stopped receiving mail until we can respond back to those waiting. Please try back again soon."

The excitement is also a great boost for the promoters of Curefest scheduled for early October 12 – 14 at James Bond Beach, on the North Coast of Jamaica. The three-day event presented by Danger Zone, Iyah Cure, and Brass Gate Promotions was planned in anticipation of his release. His headline performance will be complemented by many of his colleagues in the music fraternity. Curefest plans was already gathering momentum. Press Releases have been circulating and Billboards, featuring life-size portraits of Jah Cure, appear in several locations in and around Montego Bay, especially along Howard Cooke Boulevard.

His official website and management team had been taking request for concert dates for several months now, also in anticipation of his release from General Penitentiary. Now that, what we have been longing for is here, a new page in Dancehall history will turn over.

Based on Jah Cure's level of consciousness displayed in his albums released during his incarceration, Ghetto Life, Free Jah Cure: The Album, The Truth, and Free Jah's Cure and his behavior during his prison tenure, it may be safe to say that he is indeed rehabilitated on a personal level. Many other artiste like Bunny Wailer and Gregory Isaac did time and went on to great things musically. The same should be no different for this young talented song bird.

Jah Cure's humility was evident in his disposition at the press conference held on his behalf at New Kingston’s Hilton Hotel. The hotel's Jonkoonoo Lounge, decorated with red, gold and green was buzzing with members of the press, thirsting for information from the horses mouth. Jah Cure's full white outfit represented a stark contrast to the prisoner profile that he recently carried. The conscious singer reiterated that his prison journey “ wasn’t easy at all.”

Although only two weeks out of bondage, Jah CUre has been extremely busy. Getting acclamated to the streets again, visiting those that supported him unconditionally, especially those in Paradise Row Montego Bay, who staged an annual Jah Cure Birthday Bash for the past five years during the singer's prison tenure.

He has also been busy responding to interview request from various media entities. Not surprisingly, Jah Cure is already slated for several shows abroad. Of course the promoters are adding the tagline, "pending that the artist can secure a Visa to travel." It remains to be seen what countries will be eager to give the convicted rapist entry on their soil. Although his performance last weekend at the Reggae Sundance Festival in Eindhoven, Holland is a sign of business as usual; many countries like Canada seems to be very tough on persons with a criminal record. Guilty or Innocent, Siccature Alcock spent over eight years behind bars for rape, robbery and gun-related charges. His adjustment back in society will not be an easy road either.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon