‘Ecstatic’ KipRich relieved as case dropped
Ready to refocus on music
Published:Thursday | November 13, 2025 | 12:06 AMNatasha Williams/Gleaner Writer
Dancehall artiste Marlon ‘KipRich’ Plunkett is a very happy man after prosecutors dropped their case accusing him of allegedly promoting gang activity and praising a purported gang leader in a song. The move came after prosecutors revealed they had no voice recognition machine to support the evidence.
Speaking with The Gleaner just moments after he received the news on Tuesday, the artiste said he wasn’t expecting any other outcome. “I’m very ecstatic because it has been a rough likkle journey. To be going back and forth and you live overseas, putting off other engagements, paying lawyer fees, it is good to know that [it’s] all over right now; and mi never expect nothing different than this,” said KipRich, adding that he has maintained his innocence from the start.
Plunkett was listed by the St Catherine North police as a person of interest and, after turning himself in at the Spanish Town Police Station in the company of his defence attorney, Patrick Peterkin, he was later arrested and charged on January 25. Police accused him of using violent lyrics in a dubplate said to endorse reputed One Order Gang leader Othniel ‘Thickman’ Lobban, who was fatally shot by police in January.
When the matter was heard in the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday, prosecutors indicated that they did not have the necessary equipment to verify the voice on the recording, and the charge against him was subsequently dropped.
Speaking on the mental and emotional toll of the experience, KipRich said it affected him deeply. Following the news of the case being dropped, his family shared in his relief and joy.
“Mi entire family was happy in hearing the news... even ma mother send up a lot a prayers, saying she hope dem just throw weh di case, and seet deh,” he said with a smile.
With deep gratitude, he also gave credit to the fans who stood by him during this time.
His partner and content creator, Danielle Banton, more popularly known as Kizzy, said she was confident about a positive outcome.
“I felt the victory today, that’s why I went in,” Kizzy shared, adding, “I saw it happening before it actually did, mi see seh dem dida guh just throw it out, so when I heard it was [dropped], I wasn’t really surprised,” she said, adding that a burden is lifted off the family. “Whenever he’s stressed, I’m stressed because whatever he goes through, I go through it as well; so with that burden [now] off, his smile is brighter and we have a happier home now... because we know Kippo as a lyrical dancehall artiste and a lover boy,” shared Kizzy.
Attorney-at-law Patrick Peterkin told The Gleaner that while the case hinged on whether prosecutors could prove the source of the song’s materials, he also reflected on artistes’ creative rights and the law.
“I grow up around artistes and have a respect for the art. In terms of the legislation, it’s something we’re gonna have to look at carefully. Our artistes are some of the people dem who go out there and really highlight Jamaica, and we have to try our best to let them be aware [of the law] while trying not to criminalise them [unnecessarily]. We also can’t infringe on their creative rights, because sometimes they sing about what they see out there... and we can’t stifle that in any way,” shared Peterkin.
When asked if he now plans to steer clear of this type of music, KipRich laughed and replied: “Wi still affi duh dubplates but yuh affi learn from things weh happen in life.”
With the case now behind him, the artiste is refocusing on his music.
“I have to just put this behind [me] and move forward with my career and life – thanks to the Almighty,” KipRich told THE STAR in an interview on Tuesday.