file - Beenie Man

file - Patrick Roberts

By Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

It seems Beenie Man didn't get around to firing his manager or, as THE STAR learnt, his backing band, Ruff Kut.

Patrick Roberts, CEO of Shocking Vibes says it was a joke that was blown out of proportion.

"There was an argument between Nigel Staff (a member of the band) and Moses and I don't know where the argument came up about him firing them. He called a friend of his at a (radio station) and was running a joke. What he said was 'you want news? me just fire Patrick Roberts and Ruff Kut'," he said.

Though Beenie Man's statement seems pretty self-explanatory, Roberts says it should not have been taken seriously. "Sensational journalism isn't the way to go anymore. You must go and find out from all parties if something like that actually happened."

conflict

The argument between Beenie Man, the band and Roberts was started when Beenie Man found out that the Twin of Twins - with whom he has a feud - were at the Shocking Vibes studio, rehearsing for Sunsplash.

According to the Friday, August 4, edition of THE WEEKEND STAR, "The DJ is said to have objected and asked the Twins to leave the studio at which time band members who were present objected to his actions. Manager Patrick Roberts was called in to resolve the conflict and it is said that he felt Beenie was also in the wrong. Beenie Man claimed that he fired Mr. Roberts and his backing band following the incident."

In the same article, the manager of the twins, Henry K, explained that the Twins went to the studio only to rehearse and staff said it wasn't a problem.

"I called up the Sunsplash office to find out about band rehearsals and they said they had a meeting with Nigel Staff of Ruff Kut and that the rehearsals would be at Shocking Vibes. I said I didn't feel comfortable with my artistes going to Shocking Vibes, knowing the atmosphere and the negativity out there, but being professionals and seeing that it was pre-planned, we just went along," said Henry K.

After the altercation, some were wondering what was to become of the band, Roberts now says, "It was a misunderstanding that occurred between Nigel Staff and Moses and it has been resolved."

The band recently backed Beenie Man at Capleton's show 'St. Mary Mi Come From' and they are currently travelling with Beenie Man to do shows in Freeport, Bahamas and Antigua.