Rude Boys: Reggae Stars in Trouble

Vybz Kartel is just the latest reggae star with legal issues

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Rude Boys: Reggae Stars in Trouble - The classic Jamaican indie film The Harder They Come portrayed a rising music star, played by Jimmy Cliff, who was on the run from the law — when he wasn't busting shots at them. Unfortunately, the movie wasn't just a movie; reggae has a long history of legal troubles. Just ask Vybz Kartel: The dancehall star was recently charged with his second murder charge this month. Read on for a look at other reggae artists who've ended up on the wrong side of the law.

Buju Banton - The controversial reggae legend started his career as a childhood deejay in Kingston, Jamaica.(Photo: Linda Nylind/Redferns)

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Buju Banton - This past June, reggae icon Buju Banton was sentenced to 10 years in a U.S. federal prison for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. (Photo: Linda Nylind/Redferns)

Beenie Man - A Jamaican judge issued an arrest warrant for Beenie Man in 2007 when the "Girls Dem Suga" star failed to show up in court to present his plan for paying $415,000 in unpaid taxes and $246,000 in penalties. (Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

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Beenie Man - A Jamaican judge issued an arrest warrant for Beenie Man in 2007 when the "Girls Dem Suga" star failed to show up in court to present his plan for paying $415,000 in unpaid taxes and $246,000 in penalties. (Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

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Mavado\r - One of dancehall's gulliest, Mavado's been hit with several cases and arrests over the past few years, including an assault charge this past August.  \r\r(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Gyptian\r - This past September, Gyptian was detained for questioning after police claimed that a Jamaican producer was shot dead after the roots-reggae star refused to record with him. \r\r(Photo: Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

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Gyptian\r - This past September, Gyptian was detained for questioning after police claimed that a Jamaican producer was shot dead after the roots-reggae star refused to record with him. \r\r(Photo: Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

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Super Cat\r - Back in 2005, dancehall legend Super Cat was arrested at a New York OTB after an altercation with a cashier. This was not the Cat's first run-in with the law — in 1991, he was acquitted of killing rival reggae star Nitty Gritty.\r\r(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Super Cat\r - Back in 2005, dancehall legend Super Cat was arrested at a New York OTB after an altercation with a cashier. This was not the Cat's first run-in with the law — in 1991, he was acquitted of killing rival reggae star Nitty Gritty.\r\r(Photo: Columbia Records)

Bounty Killer - The Grammy-nominated dancehall hero is Kingston, Jamaica-raised.(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Bounty Killer - Bounty Killer has had a series of run-ins with the law over the past decade, most recently this past September, when he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Elephant Man - Elephant Man was arrested and, um, charged with stealing electricity from a Jamaican utility this past June. (Photo: Bad Boy/Atlantic Records)

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Elephant Man - Elephant Man was arrested and, um, charged with stealing electricity from a Jamaican utility this past June. (Photo: Bad Boy/Atlantic Records)

Denroy Morgan - Music vet Denroy Morgan, the singer behind 1981's "I'll Do Anything for You" and father/founder of family ensemble Morgan Heritage, was arrested after police allegedly found 310 pounds of marijuana in a Bronx, New York, residence he was seen leaving. (Photo: Echoes/Redferns)

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Denroy Morgan - Music vet Denroy Morgan, the singer behind 1981's "I'll Do Anything for You" and father/founder of family ensemble Morgan Heritage, was arrested after police allegedly found 310 pounds of marijuana in a Bronx, New York, residence he was seen leaving. (Photo: Echoes/Redferns)

Sizzla - Prolific reggae icon Sizzla was arrested on gun charges in Jamaica last year after a shooting incident. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Sizzla - Prolific reggae icon Sizzla was arrested on gun charges in Jamaica last year after a shooting incident. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage