Dancehall Producer Shab Don Remanded On Gun Charge

Embattled Dancehall producer Shab Don will have to wait until November 10 for his legal representation to make a bail application in the Gun Court of the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

The popular producer, 31, along with his 22-year-old co-accused, Romaro “BMR” Scott, also a producer of an Old Harbour address, were remanded when they appeared in court today on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Sources told DancehallMag that the prosecution received most of the statements on the day of the court appearance but was not adequately prepared, so the judge could not entertain a bail application at that time.

Shab Don, whose real name is Linval Thompson Jr, and Scott will return for a bail application on November 10. Shab Don is being represented by attorney-at-law Donahue Martin, while Scott is represented by high-profile attorney-at-law Tom Tavares-Finson, QC.

Both Finson and Martin declined to give any comment about Friday’s in-camera session in the Gun Court.

According to the police report, members of the Specialized Operations SWAT team searched the two producers and found a loaded illegal gun on South Street in Old Harbour, St Catherine. Both were subsequently charged with illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

Shab Don Records, which comprises Thompson Jr and Carlos Clarke, became one of the most sought-after production houses around 2019. The label was initially formed as a production outfit for the Squash-led 6ix group which was based in Montego Bay, and specialized in Dancehall and Trap fusions.

Shab Don has produced songs such Vybz Kartel’s World Government, Bad Mind on the One Don riddim and Any Weather which was the first single to be released on his most renowned riddim, the G6ixx.  His record label was also behind Teejay’s Shub Out and Henny and Weed and Squash’s Money Fever.  Among his other productions are Baby Yuh Tight by Popcaan and Nuh Rate Dem by Jahvillani.

Dancehall artist Squash has called for the producer to be freed.