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Jamaican music royalty’s next generation has opened up about a deeply personal spiritual struggle. Jahazeil Myrie, son of reggae-dancehall icon Buju Banton, recently credited divine intervention and his father’s controversial music with helping him overcome homosexual inclinations during an appearance on Sheena Lyn Hanson’s faith-based podcast, Sheena Power Talk.

In candid testimony filled with Jamaican patois, Myrie revealed his psychological battle, stating, “Satan manipulate your mind and your character” in reference to nearly “turning fish”—a local derogatory term for homosexual men. The young Myrie described how his father’s 1992 track ‘Boom By Bye,’ notoriously known for its violent anti-gay lyrics, ironically served as a catalyst for his return to Christianity.

“My father’s song dragged back my memory,” Myrie explained, recounting how the song prompted him to attend church the following day. This revelation comes with significant historical context: Buju Banton (born Mark Myrie) originally recorded the homophobic track as a teenager targeting a specific pedophile in his community, but later ceased performing it in 2007 before ultimately removing it from streaming platforms in 2019 with a public apology acknowledging the pain it caused.

Myrie, baptized earlier this year, emphasized that his struggle was primarily spiritual rather than physical. He cited repeated emotional hurt and rejection in relationships with women as contributing factors to his confusion, ultimately finding resolution through Christian faith. “God always shows up every time I am about to give up,” Myrie testified, highlighting perceived divine guidance in both his personal life and music career.

The interview clip, subsequently shared on Myrie’s Instagram, has sparked conversation about religion, sexuality, and the complex legacy of dancehall music’s historical relationship with LGBTQ+ issues.

The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, is poised to host an elevated iteration of its annual Miss SoSci pageant this Sunday, March 8th. Eight distinguished finalists from the Faculty of Social Sciences will contend for the coveted title in a strategic relocation to the faculty’s more capacious lecture theatre, a move designed to amplify the event’s production standards and audience experience.

Jermaine Francis, the UWI Guild representative, articulated the deliberate reasoning behind the venue shift. “Our objective was to secure a professional space that authentically mirrors the growing prestige of Miss SoSci,” Francis stated. He emphasized that the new setting would provide a stage commensurate with the excellence the faculty promotes, thereby enhancing the overall spectacle for attendees and participants alike.

The triumphant candidate will be awarded a substantial cash prize of $100,000, supplemented by an array of sponsors’ gifts. Francis clarified that these rewards are structured not merely as accolades but as investments in the winner’s personal development and her subsequent ambassadorial responsibilities within the academic community.

Patrons anticipating the coronation can expect a meticulously orchestrated event featuring diverse segments. These will include talent exhibitions, evening wear presentations, and a probing question-and-answer round engineered to assess the contestants’ critical thinking, advocacy skills, and leadership potential.

The pageant has garnered significant endorsement from Corporate Jamaica this year. Francis highlighted intentional partnerships with organizations that share a vision for nurturing youth leadership and professionalism. This corporate engagement has been instrumental in boosting production quality and reflects a broader recognition of the value in empowering student development.

Richard Barclay, the pageant’s director, detailed the selection methodology for the finalists. An interview process comprising a series of evaluative questions culminated in the selection of eight candidates from various departments across the faculty. Barclay noted the search focused on identifying well-rounded individuals capable of representing the faculty with distinction.

The competitors themselves bring diverse motivations and backgrounds. Rheanna Williams, an International Relations and Management undergraduate, perceives the competition as a catalyst for personal growth and an expansion of her horizons. Similarly, Tourism Management student Melissa Downer described her entry as impulsive yet ultimately rewarding, despite a hectic schedule.

For Summer Pottinger, a second-year Marketing student, the pageant presented a long-awaited opportunity to represent her faculty. Latania Townsend, a third-year Human Resources student and established campus leader, entered to merge her interest in modeling with her commitment to leadership, acquiring invaluable skills such as professional poise. Kelisha Francis, a Political Science scholar, echoed the sentiment, affirming the experience’s immense value. The complete roster of finalists also includes Lisa-Gay Mills, Jannel Watson, and Leanne Williams.