Dancehall artiste Andrae ‘Popcaan’ Sutherland has been ordered to both pay a J$40,000 tremendous (roughly $255 USD) or serve 30 days in jail for violating Jamaica’s Noise Abatement Act throughout his Unruly Fest occasion in St. Thomas final December.
The ruling, issued in St. Thomas Parish Court docket on Friday (February 9), marks the conclusion of authorized proceedings associated to the live performance for the Silence deejay.
In a separate listening to final month, Popcaan pleaded responsible to fees of utilizing indecent language, disorderly conduct, and making threats to cops through the occasion. For these offenses, he was fined J$6,000 (roughly $40 USD).
The preliminary incident arose from a verbal altercation between Popcaan and regulation enforcement officers who intervened to close down the occasion, which had exceeded its permitted period, shortly earlier than 5:00 AM.
Govana, Taurus Riley, Jashii, Skillibeng, Sean Paul, Protoje, Jesse Royal, Chi Ching Ching, Najeeri, and American rapper Quavo, had been among the many different acts earlier than Popcaan hit the stage to shut the present. Police mentioned the present was initially scheduled to finish at 4:00 am, and the present benefitted from a bonus hour.
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The artiste’s confrontation with authorities led to further fees.
Popcaan taking duty
Whereas Popcaan has not publicly commented on the verdicts, his lawyer Matthew Hyatt beforehand emphasised his consumer’s accountability for his actions.
“We defined to the Court docket that we’re taking duty for actions, and that Mr. Sutherland is a valued member of St. Thomas. He has organized Unruly Fest for a number of years—this being the third staging—bringing collectively over 6,000 attendees per occasion,” Hyatt said.
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“It’s regrettable that the occasion concluded in such a way. Nonetheless, tensions rose and feelings ran excessive, and initially, he expressed ‘manners and respect’ to the cops,” he added.
Popcaan, a local of St. Thomas, beforehand indicated that he might transfer the occasion to the Nationwide Stadium within the close to future. He mentioned that St Thomas won’t ever be higher if the parish continues to endure what he believes is unjust therapy from authorities.
Learn: Popcaan fined JMD $6000 related to Unruly Fest charges
