"I don't have a problem with people trying to tarnish my name, a suh artiste ting go, unu jus mek sure seh who a gwaan wit dem ***kry, can handle it when I get out! All who violate a go get straighten out lyrically," said the remanded artiste.

Many have tried unsuccessfully to secure an interview with the artiste since he was controversially flung into jail, but in an exclusive with Dancehallmuzik.com, Deva Bratt, whose real name is Sheldon Smith, answered many burning questions, including some damning accusations against his former friend and Empire boss, Adidjah "Vybz Kartel" Palmer. 

I AM EMPIRE

"Kartel is a tief! A hear mi hear Kartel a seh mi not in (Portmore) Empire, but mi neva tek dat serious, cause me a think how mi fi get kick out Empire when I am Empire? Is me start Empire years ago; yes Kartel buss di ting bigger, but how yuh fi go behind di founder back an register company in your name one? An now after him tief Empire, him go announce seh me get kick out, and now a throw word against him fren who inna jail? An yuh wonder why dem call him Judas?" said an irate Bratt.

The artiste was referring to recent compilations with Vybz Kartel and Munga Honourebel, where Munga allegedly refers to Deva as a "pedophile" (defined as one who molests underage children), and Kartel precariously sings: "I could never be a raper." Efforts to contact both artistes were futile up to press time, but a close associate of Munga said the artiste would not entertain anything with Deva.

"Munga is way ahead of that now, we nuh even remember a who name so (Deva). Munga not going to even respond to or entertain nothing with the likes of Deva," said the source.

Deva Bratt's interview was briefly cut short by a random search of cells, but after that short stint, Deva returned to defend his name.

"Whosoever hear how di incident go, know Deva could a neva...a me say "bungle a gal" an "staggarin daggarin whe di girls dem love", so how mi coulddah rape those who love me? The reason why mi lock up so long is because somebody report a case an it a go through di legal frameworks...but is a frame work!" said a now jovial Deva, despite being behind bars since almost a year and counting.

According to the Portmore police, the 14-year-old victim was walking along a street in the Westchester community when advances were made at her. She was subsequently held by two men and dragged into a room where she was sexually assaulted. The victim then went to school and reported her ordeal to the guidance counselor, who advised her to seek medical attention. Following the examination, the police was called in and an investigation led to Smith being arrested and charged.

BAIL ONLY GRANTED ON ONE CHARGE

But Deva Bratt is no stranger to this dilemma, as simultaneous to his ordeal with this 14-year old's accusations, he was before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrates Court on similar charges involving another girl of the same age. Due to this fact, he was not offered bail and has been remanded since, although recently being awarded bail for one of the two charges.

"It was rumoured that I was to be released, but my lawyer is working on bail for the next charge so hopefully mi wi out by Christmas, and a dah time deh people won't be feeling cold, because I am going to make it a hot Christmas," said Deva.

Rape-related charges are nothing new to dancehall, as other artistes such as breakout sensation Jah Cure and Zebra have been sentenced and jailed for similar offences.