Artiste points finger at ‘Mr Bruce’

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

In late May, singer eNGee was at home in Fort Lauderdale, transfixed to the Internet and getting updates on the bloody conflict between security forces and gunmen in west Kingston.

The two-day confrontation and its spin-offs inspired eNGee to record two songs, Mr Bruce and One Love, which are scheduled to be released early August by Miami-based Island Splash Entertainment.

Mr Bruce is a critique of Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s handling of the Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke extradition matter which triggered the tragic episode.

One Love is a tribute of sorts to the persons most affected during and after the incident.

Innocent victims

“I was struck by the number of lives lost, and we should notice it’s always the innocent people who are caught in the crossfire,” eNGee observed.

“The people who die are never usually the ones committing the crimes.”

Over 70 civilians and three members of the security forces died during the hostilities which occurred throughout Kingston. Most of the fighting took place in Tivoli Gardens, the west Kingston bastion where Coke operated and was said to be when the military/police assault started May 23.

Golding was strongly criticised by private-sector and human rights groups for his management of the Coke affair which came to light in August 2009 when the United States named him as a major drug and arms dealer. They called for his extradition to that country to face charges but the Golding administration resisted.

eNGee believes the prime minister should also be held accountable on other issues.

“The people were promised things like free education and better roads but the situation has remained the same,” he said.

Born Nasheer Garth Walters in St Mary, eNGee made his recording debut as a 14-year-old with God Is My Closest Friend, which was produced by Youthman Troy, an entertainment personality in Ocho Rios.

Because he was the youngest member of the group he hung around, he was initially known as DJ Pickney. After relocating to south Florida, he renamed himself eNGee and has released several songs including Immigrant, a commentary on the illegal alien problem in the United States.

Mr Bruce and One Love will be released in south Florida and Jamaica.