Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae artiste Jah Cure has been sentenced to eight years and four months by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal following a retrial for stabbing concert promoter Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake in October 2021.
The attack, which took place in broad daylight at Dam Square, stemmed from a dispute over payment for an Amsterdam concert.
Initially convicted of attempted manslaughter with a six-year sentence, the court upgraded the charge to attempted murder after new evidence revealed premeditation.
Jah Cure reportedly sent audio messages to a friend outlining his plan to confront the victim, including details that he had acquired a knife and intended to wait for him; evidence that convinced the court the attack was planned in advance.
The victim spent seven days in hospital and required surgery due to injuries sustained in the stabbing.
Jah Cure was also ordered to pay nearly €9,500 (Sh.1.4 million) in compensation for the harm caused.
The court dismissed Jah Cure’s self-defense claims. His defense had argued that the voice messages should be seen in light of cultural context, suggesting that “having a big mouth” does not necessarily indicate intent.
At the time of the attack, Jah Cure was in Amsterdam performing at Melkweg a few days prior.
The Kingston native, known for albums like ‘The Cure’ (2015) and hits such as ‘Never Mind’, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2016, losing to Morgan Heritage.
This is not Jah Cure’s first brush with the law; he previously served eight years of a 15-year sentence in Jamaica for firearm possession, robbery, and rape, before being released on parole in 2007.