Reggae artist Buju Banton was convicted today of federal drug charges in the U.S. just days after winning a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for his album Before the Dawn at the 2011 Grammy’s.

A descendant of the Maroons (the fierce freedom fighters who fended off attacks from the British colonial regiments) Buju was born Mark Anthony Myrie on July 15, 1973, the youngest of 15 children born to a higgler (market vendor) mother. Buju entered Jamaica’s musical fraternity in the mid-’80s and his career accelerated into high gear with the 1991 release of his debut album for Penthouse records Mr. Mention; propelled by the hits “Love Mi Browning” and “Bogle,” in 1992 Buju broke Bob Marley’s record for the most number one singles in one year on the Jamaican charts.

Buju is considered one of reggae music’s best of our time so it’s a sad situation for his fans as he will likely face about 15 years of jail time. It might be a very long time before we hear of any new music from him, if ever again.

Here’s a video tribute of his best work throughout the years.

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