The reggae dancehall icon takes to social media to pay tribute to Miles Myrie, who was reportedly struggling with potential mental health issues prior to his passing.
- Apr 5, 2024
AceShowbiz - Buju Banton is bidding farewell to one of his children. Miles Myrie, one of the sons of the reggae dancehall icon, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has tragically passed away at the age of 20.
On Thursday, April 4, the Jamaican artist took to his Instagram page to share the sad news. Posting a picture of his smiling son to pay tribute, he wrote in the caption, "Sip papa God knows."
Prayers quickly poured in in the comments section, with fellow musician Sean Paul sending "CONDOLENCES 2 U N DI FAM MI BREDDA!!!" Another wrote, "Condolences and prayers Buju."
A third penned, "MIGHTY MY HEART IS WITH YOU BREDDA PRAYERS WITH YOU THE MOM AND FAMILY STAY ATRONG MI BREDDA!!" Another simply said, "condolences big bredda."
Echoing the sentiment, someone lamented, "So sad may he rest with peace condolences to buja and the mother." A sixth user sent "Love and strength to the whole Family Jah kno," as someone else added, "rest in power, young may our ancestors guide you on your journey."
Meanwhile, Jamaican singer/songwriter Gramps Morgan took to his own Instagram page to express his condolences. Along with a picture of the father and son duo, he wrote, "Miles Myrie may your soul rest in peace My Brother @bujubanton may you be comforted through this time and the Mother of The Child I'm with You Bredda No parents should have to bury a child But God Knows."
Jahazeil Myrie, another son of Buju, confirmed his sibling's passing on Monday. "Yes it is true," he told Observer Online. "It is not my thing to say, it is not my job personally to give out any personal information about Miles, my father is the one who should share any details, but Miles is an hortical yute, his soul was clean, so I had to say something."
Jahazeil said Miles was living in the United States at the time of his death, but did not provide details of the cause of death. He added, "We grow up together one ah the time dem, and he always would motivate me to never give up. He was a very motivational person no matter wah. When he was younger, he wanted to be a judge but as he got older, he got to love the rapping so he wanted to be a rapper."
On Monday, Jahazeil also shared a photo of the pair in his Instagram Stories as he seemingly mourned the loss of his sibling. The post featured Popcaan's mournful single "Only Jah Know" along with a broken heart emoji.
Amid the outpouring support for Buju and his family, a woman has slammed the 50-year-old star for allegedly abandoning his dead son. In an emotional video, she revealed that Miles had been under her care for two months due to homelessness.
She also spoke about his struggles with potential mental health issues. The woman criticized Buju's other sons, whom she claimed she contacted to pick up Miles from her home and take him to the hospital.
"Mi watch them pick him up from my yard in a one nice truck," she said. "They were suppose to take him to the hospital, they already knew he was troubled, they knew he had issues. This is a kid that they said been in and out of [Juvenile detention], been in an out of hospital."
The woman then questioned why Buju didn't bring Miles back to Jamaica. "You did not bring your son home to Jamaica, you is Buju. You need to be held accountable for these kids," she added. "I gave this kid to them and they picked him up and they did not do their due diligence. They knew the true behavior of the kid and they did not take him to the hospital, they did not take him to help."
Buju has not responded to the woman's allegations.
