Beenie Man is speaking out after videos circulated on the internet of the dancehall legend passing out at his mother’s funeral.
“With sincere gratitude, there are not enough words to fully express my heartfelt thanks for the sympathy, love and virtual support my fans, friends, coworkers, family and my well-wishers have extended to my family and I during this difficult time,” the 47 year old wrote on his Instagram page. “On Sunday, October 25th I laid my Mom to rest. It was by far and still is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. Leading up to the day of the funeral I was physical involved in every aspect of the planning and execution.”
He went on, “I kept telling myself, maybe if I remained active I will be able to function. Unfortunately, when it came down to that very last moment, it hit me and hit very hard. This would be the last time I would see my mom. Despite the noise, the singing, the mourning, all I could hear was silence while watching my mom’s body being lowered into the tomb.”
In his statement, the Reggae star, whose real name is Anthony Moses Davis, denied reports that he was hospitalized. “My heart broke and I blacked out for a few minutes. When I revived, I saw my closest friends and my family around me,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, that very intimate and sad moment was recorded and then circulated around the world with false statements. I was not hospitalized, I was comforted by my friends and family.”
He concluded his statement asking fans and supporters to continue to pray for him as “we heal and move forward.”
In the footage of the incident, Beenie Man was seen standing among the crowd at his mother’s gravesite when he became overwhelmed with emotion. The singer soon collapsed and was ushered away by four men through a crowd.
Beenie’s mother, Lilieth Sewell, reportedly spent weeks at the University Hospital of the West Indies after suffering a stroke in July. Sewell was discharged in August, but passed a few weeks later in September. She was 63 years old.
Following her death, the “King of the Dancehall” singer allegedly deleted all posts from his social media account and went silent on the subject. Rappers and other artists, including Swizz Beatz and Seal Paul, sent their condolences.
