Soon-to-be released deejay Buju Banton has spoken to his fans from behind prisons walls at the McRae Correctional Facility in Georgia, United States, where he is serving a 10-year sentence on drug-related charges.

The 45-year-old artiste who is scheduled to be released from that facility on December 8 this year, used social media to speak to his legion of fans, thanking them for their support over the years of his absence from the music scene.

“In light of the adversity I have encountered, I feel the need to stress that my only desire going forward is peace and love. I only want to be associated with my craft. Having survived, I want to share the good news and strength of my music which I have devoted my life to. I look forward to the opportunity to say a personal thanks to my fans and everyone who supported me,” reads the post on his Instagram page.

In September of this year the artiste’s team released a promo announcing The Long Walk to Freedom Tour set for the summer of next year, 2019. There is no indication of where this tour will start or end and of the series of shows that will feature the artiste who is best known for tracks such as Not An Easy Road, Destiny, Champion, Driver, and Browning.

However, the Jamaica Observer understands that plans are currently under way for his first concert to be held at Grizzly’s Plantation Cover in Priory, St Ann, Jamaica in March of next year. The Bahamas and Trinidad are also said to be on the roster of venues.

Reports also indicate that Barbados-born international pop star Rihanna, who is working on a reggae and dancehall album, is also set to include Buju Banton on this project. Rihanna was even spotted on the streets of New York sporting a Buju Banton T-shirt.

Earlier this year, a fire storm of controversy was ignited after it was announced during a press conference aboard the Love and Harmony cruise that Buju’s first concert post incarceration will be held in Trinidad and Tobago in April of 2019. Jamaicans reacted sharply to this information and the statement was quickly rescinded, with members of Buju Banton’s management team stating that Trinidadian promoter Glenroy Watson misspoke.

The Grammy Award-winning artiste was arrested on cocaine charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.