(L) Bobby Clarke (R) Dexta Daps
NEW YORK, USA — Bobby Clarke, founder/CEO of Irie Jam Radio, said his station “has been inundated with telephone calls yesterday from concerned fans” about rising dancehall singjay Dexta Daps.
Dexta Daps is one of several acts booked to perform on the Irie Jam-promoted Oracabessa Festival slated for the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, on May 25.
On Monday, the singjay was involved in an altercation with lawmen at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The incident is currently doing the rounds on social media.
According to police reports, Dexta Daps parked his vehicle in a restricted area of the airport facility and was being ticketed for the offence. A scuffle ensued as the cops tried to slap on handcuffs on the artiste who questioned why he was being arrested. He was subsequently charged with obstructing the police, the use of indecent language, resisting arrest, and assault occasioning bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court in St James, on May 13.
“Our first concern is about the well-being of the artiste. However, Daps’ management team has assured that he is OK,” said Clarke.
“We are eagerly awaiting his arrival in New York to perform for his many fans.”
Irie Jam Radio (which is owned by Irie Jam Media) started in 1993. While its programming is diverse, the station caters largely to a reggae fan base, mainly in New York City.
Dexta Daps (given name Louis Grandison) got his big break in January with the single 7 Eleven. His other songs include Pretty Nicky, This a the Best and Jealous Ova, which features female deejay Tifa.
In addition to Dexta Daps, Sean Paul, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley, Chris Martin and Alaine are scheduled to perform on Oracabessa Festival.