I-Octane Refutes Reports That He Was Rolling With Spanish Town Gang
Following conflicting media reports about a witness statement given in the Klansman-One Don trial, I-Octane has sought to repudiate claims made by one radio station, that he was canoodling amongst and driving around with members of the reputed Spanish Town-based gang.
Nationwide News Network reported that, among other things, the prosecution’s second witness in the trial had told the court that “the alleged gangsters would often accompany popular dancehall artiste I-Octane to recording studios” and that the miscreants “would leave from their headquarters in Jones Avenue with the dancehall star to visit a studio in Dunrobin, St. Andrew”.
In addition, Nationwide reported that Octane’s “daughter would also be in the studio as he recorded his music”.
However, another account of the witness’ evidence which was relayed to veteran journalist Dionne Jackson Miller by a Radio Jamaica reporter during the Beyond The Headlines show on Tuesday evening, had a different version from Nationwide’s.
“He (witness) said that members of the gang went to his (Octane’s) studio on Dunrobin Avenue in Kingston, multiple times. So when the prosecutor asked him ‘why’, they went there, he said: ‘to record music’. He also said that I-Octane wasn’t there at the time when they went there”, the reporter, who covered the trial told Miller.
The version from The Gleaner noted that a “former top-tier member of the One Don Gang this morning testified at the Clansman-One Don trial that reputed leader Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan and other alleged gang members would reportedly frequent the St Andrew studio of popular dancehall artiste I- Octane, whose real name is Byiome Muir”.
“The witness testified that the alleged gang members, including him, visited the location multiple times to record music with the entertainer,” The Gleaner report stated.
The Jamaica Observer also reported on the case, noting that “the second ex-member of the St Catherine-based Klansman gang turned state informant, on Tuesday morning, referenced multiple visits by himself and alleged leader of the gang Andre “Blackman” Bryan to the St Andrew studio of dancehall artiste I-Octane, real name Byiome Muir”.
The Observer said that “the witness who resumed his testimony in the trial involving 33 accused members of the criminal outfit, (said) while at the studio I-Octane would be recording music” and that “more than one time we went to the studio,” which was “located on Dunrobin Avenue going toward Constant Spring Road in a plaza next to a car mart”.
A worked-up I-Octane took to Instagram where he reposted the Nationwide IG article, and in a lengthy script, sought to reject the claims about him cavorting with gang members, which were attributed to the witness.
“After reading this 👀 and see what them say about me 👀 where and how am I a criminal 🤷♂️,” he wrote.
“People me never know seh voicing music for an established recording company is a crime… Mi bus from mi a 16/17 – over 15 or more years now and mi voice for so many GHETTO LABELS…. Buss nuff ghetto yutes who a produce music from di ghetto and never involve or mention in any criminal activities, so why now🤷♂️….,” he added.
In furthering his defense, the Mama You Alone singer, said it was not strange or untoward that a studio would attract people of ill repute, as people from all walks of life will visit these entities at any given time.
“Just let me clarify something that I see on the net. 1st thing no one escort me to studio…Do your research… People in the music can tell you I have my own recording studio so when anybody wants to do any form of recording dem meet me at the studio. Next thing, why would I doing crime and have my little daughter at a crime scene?” he questioned.
“So if having my daughter who loves music at my studio when I am recording so she can learn more plus voicing for a known recording company, where is the crime? Ok then, that means that the majority of jamaican artists a criminal then,” Octane continued.
He added: “I am one of the biggest jamaican superstars fi years now… so mek mi tell unnu this… I have come across (over my 15years) nuff yute who inna badness because of their background but come to me and say ‘DJ help take me out of badness’. Note, I don’t know nothing about dem badness but dem ask for help – just to record a song on a riddim so they can get into producing and me nah go tell no lies, me record fi dem over and over because I want to show dem say life nuh stop a badness.”
He then sought to point out that associating with, or having a business relationship with people, does not necessarily mean that he is bosom buddies with them.
“Jones Avenue records is big recording label and multiple artists have done recording for them so how I-OCTANE IS A CRIMINAL FI DO THE SAME THING…
1: When it’s election time and I sing dubs for politician on both sides that don’t mean me into politics…
2: When politician keep the rally parties and me go sing free that don’t mean me vote [ mi never vote yet]
3: When police a keep dem party at the station and me go sing free, that don’t mean me a carry info to them
4: When badman keep dem ghetto shows and nuff artists Including myself go, that don’t mean mi inna badness…SO…,” he added.
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