George Nooks

George Nooks, a raggamuffin singer who had generated considerable early buzz and collected three honors at the 1997 Tamika Reggae Music Awards for Crossover Artist, Outstanding Male Artist, and Vocalist of the Year, encountered serious legal difficulties mere weeks ahead of the presentation when bounty hunters acting on behalf of the Immigration and Naturalization Service detained him for unlawful residence in the United States. Months earlier he had issued his self-titled debut album, buoyed by the crossover success of the singles “Real Men” and “One of a Kind Love Affair.” After deportation he maintained an active schedule of live performances and new recordings.