'Do not rush to judge' - New York gets behind Denroy Morgan during legal woes

Dave Rodney, Contributor

Last week Thursday, New Yorkers woke up to the shocking news that beloved reggae artiste and hit machine Denroy Morgan, 66, had been arrested in the Bronx, New York and charged for possession of some 25 pounds of marijuana.

'NYPD scores major pot bust,' the New York Daily News screamed. So too did the television networks, as word of Morgan's apprehension reverberated throughout the reggae Diaspora, tagged, of course, by his 1981 hit single I'll Do Anything for You.

I too was blown away by the news. Blown away because the Denroy Morgan I know is a deeply spiritual man grounded to his Rastafarian faith. I also know him as the patriarch of a musical empire that includes the critically acclaimed reggae band Morgan Heritage, and he has quietly been the guiding light for many musical careers.

The man I know is a prodigy, a pioneer and a musical perfectionist. Denroy Morgan is intensely focused on the development and the growth of his music, and his passion for the unification and the empowerment of his people takes him regularly to places like the Devens Federal Bureau of Prisons. There, he ministers to scores of inmates in his resident state of Massachusetts.

Frequent talks

I normally speak with Denroy Morgan on a weekly basis about strategic marketing and visibility for his current album Link Up Ethiopia (Asaph/VP Records). I have also been speaking to him about his son Laza Morgan, whose smash single, One By One, featuring Mavado (Elektra/ Atlantic), is beginning to enjoy urban radio play in key United States markets.

Few things could have brought more publicity for Denroy Morgan, and nothing could have prepared me for this dramatic development. My last Youtube interview with Denroy Morgan was at the First Haitian Baptist Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey at a robust musical ministry, his sons Gramps and Laza by his side.

The three New York Daily News writers who filed the story allege that Morgan's arrest was not part of a sting operation, but that he was pulled over for running a stop sign when a whiff of marijuana was detected coming from his car, and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a portion of the weed.

Morgan, who has been out on bail for over a week, disputes the accuracy of the media reports. He had his first court date on Tuesday in Bronx, New York and the case has been pushed back for mention on a date to be determined.

The Morgan family patriarch is in the process of carefully choosing the right attorney to represent him.

"All I can say, at this point, is that my case is going through the court system and I am hoping for a favourable outcome," Denroy disclosed.

"I also want to thank the hundreds of family, friends and fans who have been supportive with calls, letters and emails.

"I know that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel still answers prayers, and I ask that my supporters will continue to send up their prayers to the Almighty, Jah, for me," Morgan said in an exclusive interview for The Sunday Gleaner.

Over the past several days, there has been an outpouring of good wishes for Denroy Morgan from community activists, spiritual leaders, music-industry insiders and fans.

"We should not rush to judgement before all the facts are in as police reports are often notoriously flawed," CEO of Irie Jam Radio in New York and co-producer of Reggae Rhythm and Blues, Bobby Clarke cautioned.

"We must make sure that this incident does not define the very important contribution that Denroy Morgan and his family have made towards the archives of reggae music," Clarke continued.

Another music-industry insider, Dino Perera, senior booking agent at Universal Attractions in New York City had this so say: "Denroy Morgan is one of the nicest, most respected and sought-after artistes that I have had the pleasure to work with and I wish for him all the best in this difficulty."

Best wishes

Abigail Adams, music-retail specialist and president of Movin' Management Group who has watched Morgan's career for years, offered her support as well. "At a time when the music industry is at an all-time low in all genres, we really need a Denroy Morgan out there now more than ever as he is someone who can make a difference. I hope he overcomes this hurdle quickly so he can get back to what he really loves - making great music," she said.

Denroy Morgan is currently in the middle of promoting his latest album, Link Up Ethiopia, and a video clip for the lead single, Revelation Come to Pass, will be released later this week.

Not surprisingly, there is now a surge in the sales of I'll Do Anything for You, and Internet searches for everything related to Denroy Morgan is now at its highest peak.

The 17-track CD is described as "a Biblical conceptual reggae album" and the set features performances by Toots and The Maytals, The Chi Lites, Morgan Heritage and Sidney Mills of the respected United Kingdom band, Steel Pulse.

Denroy Morgan also co-manages his son Laza, who has recently become a hot new sensation. Laza Morgan is somewhat of an online marvel, as his last video clip, This Girl has already attracted over 10 million hits. Only a very elite crop of artistes can boast those numbers, especially early in their careers. He shoots the One by One video in October and his new mixtape launch will take place in New York at SOBs under the umbrella of WQHT Hot 97 Radio on October 25.

Laza is the 29th of Denroy Morgan's 30 children.

"Many people do go through their trials and tribulations, and I am urging music fans across the Diaspora not to jump to early conclusions but to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of this hard-working and talented Jamaican family," entertainment executive Gary Foster declared.

Foster, a former vice-president with Russell Simmons' Phat Farm, has a home in St Thomas, a place Denroy Morgan continues to call home.