Six Free Reggae MP3s: Ronae “Slanger” Burgess

March 5, 2010

Grab six free MP3′s from Bermuda reggae artist ‘Slanger’. With a very ‘conscious vibe’, his music is fast growing in popularity. Born Ronae Burgess, he is a figure seen as controversial in some circles, and inspirational in others.

In 1994 Mr. Burgess fatally stabbed Clarence “Trees” Smith outside Southampton Rangers Sports Club, over an argument which started over a bag of pawpaws. The victim’s family received $40,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Mr. Burgess, who was 19 yrs old at the time of the murder with a two-year-old daughter, was sentenced to ‘life in prison’.

Four months before fatally stabbing Mr. Smith, Mr. Burgess used a hammer to beat Terry Jones in the head five times, requiring Mr, Jones to get 25 stitches. In an eerie coincidence, this previous incident also took place outside the Southampton Rangers Sports Club, the same place he killed Smith a few months later. Mr. Burgess’s other criminal convictions included violently resisting arrest, possession of cannabis and stealing.

He began singing while in prison, performing for other inmates. He received permission to record whilst incarcerated. His music was receiving local radio airplay even before he was released.

Now released from prison, Ronae Burgess has turned his life around, and encourages others to not make the same mistakes he did.