Recent rivalries between Vybz Kartel and Black Ryno are stirring up trouble in the Portmore district (nicknamed Gaza), to the point that the police are getting involved.
The day after the release of Ryno's song Mi lef, which confirmed his departure from Portmore Empire (see news of 02/03/2010), shots were fired from a vehicle, killing a man at Big Yard, a yard where the members of Gaza gather and which houses the recording studio, used notably by the producer Notnice and belonging to Father Romie. A few hours later, a Molotov cocktail attack destroyed part of Ryno's home in St Andrew, which was fortunately empty at the time.
Vybz Kartel and Popcaan, another Gaza artist, were reportedly questioned by the police but quickly cleared.
Following these events, and without anyone really knowing whether they have anything to do with the musical rivalry between the two artists, the police have decided to put pressure on Gaza. Vybz Kartel and Black Ryno were invited by the Constant Spring police to meet and put an end to the violence, as happened with Mavado at the end of last year. The authorities have even reportedly threatened to hinder the two artists' upcoming shows.
The first illustration of the police pressure: the studio frequented by Kartel, where the shooting took place, has just been closed. It had not been registered as commercial premises and had been the subject of neighbours' complaints about noise. A letter from the police had been sent last week, with Kartel replying that he intended to respect the law and would abide by the authorities' decisions.