Jamaican producer on scamming rap in US

JAMAICAN music producer Anju Blaxxx was granted bail when he appeared in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Miami, yesterday.

The 30-year-old Blaxxx, whose given name is Andrew Sayeed Myrie, was arrested by American law enforcement officers on lottery scam charges in Florida last Friday.

He is charged in the state of North Dakota with mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing fraud.

“The judge granted him bail when he appeared in court today,” Nathan Diamond, Blaxxx’s attorney, told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

Diamond said federal prosecutors are appealing the ruling. He declined to state the conditions of his client’s bail or if the producer would be able to travel.

Prior to yesterday’s court appearance, Blaxxx had a hearing on Monday.

In an exclusive interview with the Observer on Tuesday, Clare Hochhalter — federal prosecutor and Assistant United States District Attorney — confirmed that Blaxxx was indeed charged with mail and wire fraud in the Great Plains state of North Dakota. He was, however, unwilling to say anything else.

Hochhalter is the federal prosecutor in the case involving Jamaican radio disc jock ZJ Wah Wa (given name Deon-Ville O’Hara).

Wah Wa was arrested on lottery scamming charges in Florida in May 2014. He pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing in North Dakota on February 23.

Hochhalter was unavailable for comment up to press time.

The lottery scam involves inducing American victims, mostly the elderly, to send monies as processing fees for ‘lottery winnings’. The government of Jamaica, in response to complaints from the American government, set up a task force in 2009 to stamp out the illegal activity.

Blaxxx, who is CEO and producer of UIM Records, is one of dancehall’s leading producers. He scored big in 2013 with Bugle’s chart-topping hit No Compatible.

Prior to the Bugle song, Blaxxx charted with hits from the Purge, 300 Round, Sanction, Journey, Beach Bunx, Coolie Gal, Nymphomaniac, and Klappaz rhythms.

His Punjabi beat features dancehall heavyweights including Mavado, Popcaan, Tommy Lee Sparta, Spice, Blak Diamon, Alkaline and Konshens.

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