Sony Records Drops Reggae Singer Over Drugs, Fake Gun

An up and coming reggae singer, Natalie Hendry (20) from Glimerton in Scotland, was dropped by Sony Records after police found her under the influence of drugs, carrying an imitation handgun and a metal pole last month. After impressing the ravenous talent seekers at Sony Records UK, the future seemed very bright for the singer, but Sony Insider can assume that Sony doesn’t wish to be associated with those who get into trouble (the disastrous Amy Winehouse comes to mind). Hendry, who sings in Scottish-Jamaican reggae band Project Bona Fide, had went through a series of successful auditions and was most likely ready on a path to cut a record with Sony.

The Edinburgh Paper reports: “Today, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, she was released on bail so she could be assessed for a drug testing and treatment order before she is sentenced over the replica fire-arm. The court heard how police found her hiding in a common stairwell of a block of flats. They searched her and found the gun, a metal pole and a dart but she claimed she had been given the weapons to hold by a man called Paul who had been involved in a disturbance over a drug deal. It was that incident that police were investigating when they stumbled on Hendry, who is also known as “Lil’ Natt”.

Her solicitor, Steven Donald, said Paul had been a “very dominating” figure in Hendry’s life and had dictated what drugs she took and how she dressed and lived her life. He said: “She was also engaged in activities to support her own and his drug taking.”

Mr Donald said this “destructive” relationship had kept her addicted to drugs and that her unstable lifestyle had all but ended her singing aspirations after Sony dropped her. He said: “She has been described as having a prodigious singing talent but due to her chaotic lifestyle has been unable to take advantage of that talent and she was eventually dropped by Sony.”

Mr Donald said she had now left Paul and was hoping to rebuild her life, adding: “She hopes that she can pick up this career but will only be able to if she is drug free.”

Sheriff Isobel Poole released Hendry on bail and ordered her to be assessed for drug treatment and also placed her on a night-time curfew.”

Information courtesy of the Edinburgh Paper (Evening News).