Grammy-nominated reggae star Jah Cure gets more jail time in Amsterdam promoter stabbing

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has sentenced 47-year-old Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae artist Jah Cure, real name Siccature Alcock, to eight years and four months in prison in a retrial for stabbing a 45-year-old concert promoter in broad daylight on Dam Square in Amsterdam in October 2021. This is an increase from the six-year sentence originally given for attempted manslaughter, as the court upgraded the conviction to attempted murder.

The motive seemed to be a conflict over payment for a concert in Amsterdam. One message the suspect sent to the victim stated, “I beg you please meet me on Dam Square now … I’ll go to jail for you in any fucking country. I want you to go to war with me.” The same day of the stabbing, he also sent messages to others, including a friend in Sweden.

“Watch what I’m going to do to your friend,” he said. “Just listen to the news. I’m going to jail today in Amsterdam.” The suspect ambushed the victim on Dam Square and stabbed him sharply in the stomach. The court determined that these messages showed he acted with premeditation. The victim spent about a week in a hospital, and again needed surgery last year in relation to the stabbing. He was also ordered to pay nearly 9,500 euros in damages to the victim.

“The defense pleaded for acquittal on the primary charge of attempted murder. To this end, the defendant’s counsel argued that the voice messages sent by the defendant prior to the meeting should be considered in light of the defendant’s cultural background, where having a big mouth, generally means little,” the Court of Appeal wrote as part of a summary in its verdict. Claims of self-defense were also shot down.

The artist was in Amsterdam for a performance at the Melkweg in the city center a few days before the stabbing. Originally from Kingston, Jah Cure received attention and praise for his 2015 album, The Cure. It was nominated for the Grammy for the Best Reggae Album the following year, losing out to Strictly Roots by Morgan Heritage.

It is not the first time that Alcock will be imprisoned. The musician was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Jamaica in 1999 for possession of a firearm and rape.