Convicted rapist seeks stardom in reggae world

By Patricia Meschino

NEW YORK (Billboard) - An eight-year prison stint for rape, robbery and gun possession charges turned out to be a good career move for Jamaican reggae singer Jah Cure.

He managed to top the local charts with a series of singles he recorded while locked up, becoming an exponentially bigger star than he was before he went to prison.

Much like hip-hop, reggae has a tradition of controversial singers with criminal records. But Cure represents the highest-profile example of how controversy can help make an artist's career.

On January 7, Cure will deliver his first album of new music since his release last year. "The Universal Cure," which will come out as a joint venture between Miami-based indie SoBe Entertainment and Jamaica's Danger Zone Records, documents the journey of the one-time Siccature Alcock, who struggled for recognition as a teenage artist and found it a few years later behind bars, where he steadfastly maintained his innocence.

"A history of negatives has been done but I can't think it is all about me when I know what people face out there," says Cure. "So the songs talk about my life but also about universal cures, like being free and especially love."

Following his incarceration in 1999, Cure began releasing singles like "Love Is" and "Longing For," characterized by deeply emotional deliveries that stood in stark contrast to the callousness of his alleged crimes. As his renown grew, details emerged of reported irregularities in the legal proceedings that led to his conviction. Defending Cure's innocence became a cause celebre throughout the reggae world, but his alleged victim, as well as several Jamaican women's rights groups, expressed outrage at the artist's newfound celebrity and the sympathy his hits generated.

"The Universal Cure" includes "Reflections," Cure's seminal penitentiary recording. But it's also significant for roots reggae tracks like "Sufferation," "Freedom" and "U Believe in Me," the last of which expresses gratitude to his supporters.

Since his release, Cure's red-hot hit-making streak has noticeably cooled. But his team is hoping to rekindle the fire with "The Universal Cure," which is led by the single "Mr. Jailer." The track was previously a hit for its writer, Nigerian singer Asa.

"Jah Cure's vocals have a haunting soulful resonance that I haven't heard since the late Garnet Silk," says Wayne Jobson, host of the show "Reggae Smoke-In" on modern rock KDLD/KDLE (Indie 103.1) Los Angeles. "We need that kind of consciousness and haunting voice to lift up reggae. People are looking for this to be the definitive Jah Cure album, and I think he will do well in America."

So far, Cure has been unable to secure a visa for travel to the United States because of his criminal convictions. His management is seeking a waiver that would allow him entry for a maximum of 90 days. In the interim, SoBe/Danger Zone will concentrate on creating interest in the Caribbean, Europe and possibly Asia.

Reuters/Billboard