Published: December 15, 2025
The subconscious is a library of unspoken pain—battles you’re ashamed of and childhood traumas left unresolved. Addiction is not merely about the substance; it is a mirror reflecting the wounds buried within. Many of us are still casualties of Liberia’s civil war. Has anyone truly healed? If we had collectively recovered, perhaps our social fabric and economy would not be in constant turmoil. It is often said that the state of our lives mirrors the state of our minds. We are fighting demons born of sorrow that words struggle to express.
So why is Bucky Raw being used as a scapegoat by the Drug Enforcement Agency? What appears to be a routine arrest increasingly resembles a setup by a rival. But who is this rival?
We understand how dangerous and competitive the music industry can be. When you become a stakeholder, your mantra should be: “There’s no loyalty in the streets.” A friend can easily become an enemy disguised as an ally. It is disheartening that an industry with limited financial returns is still plagued by jealousy and resentment. What should have been Bucky Raw’s triumphant return to the mainstream instead became his darkest moment. Is this a coincidence—or a calculated attack? Someone, it seems, tipped off the DEA.
Bucky’s longtime music video director and friend, Sayou Tequah Jr., fueled the public’s suspicions when he shared a theory on social media suggesting foul play. Although he later apologized—admitting his post was based on unverified information—his comments laid the foundation for many of the circulating theories.
His apology read in part:
“I want to sincerely apologize for my earlier post regarding Tidal Rave, Bucky Raw and Black Sherif.
My statement was based on unconfirmed facts, and I understand how it could damage reputations and affect ongoing events… I take full responsibility… One love and respect.”
But could his initial instincts have been right?
In Sayou’s theory, he suggested that Bucky’s arrest was triggered by organizers of Tidal Rave. He implied that Bucky’s refusal to perform may have prompted them to sabotage his event—an event many believed would overshadow theirs and potentially reduce ticket sales. Even bringing Black Sherif to Liberia, he argued, could not divert the energy and anticipation surrounding Bucky’s show.
Beyond Sayou’s claims, another school of thought points fingers at 2Switt, suggesting he might be orchestrating a rivalry to benefit from the chaos. In global hip-hop culture, rivalries—tragically—have proven profitable. Documentaries like “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” detail allegations that business interests have capitalized on deadly feuds, including those involving Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. The theory implies that controversy, not collaboration, drives industry profits.
Could 2Switt be attempting to recreate a calculated rivalry between his artist Christoph and Bucky Raw? If so, carrying out a plan on the eve of Bucky’s major show would conveniently redirect suspicion toward event organizers. These parallels—though speculative—are difficult for some fans to ignore.
Now, with Bucky Raw still denied bail and facing possible court proceedings, what should Liberians expect?
First, Liberia must confront its national denial about mental health. Drug abuse is rampant, and people are suffering, yet our policies remain outdated and ineffective. Countries like the United States have partially legalized cannabis, and Thailand—once known for its harsh drug laws—now boasts one of the fastest-growing legal cannabis industries, which has reduced crime, improved health outcomes, and boosted economic growth.
There is no one who lived through Liberia’s brutal civil war who emerged entirely unscarred. The rates of anxiety and depression in our population remain staggering.
According to the World Bank:
- 40% of Liberians show symptoms of major depressive disorder
- 44% exhibit PTSD symptoms
- 8% meet criteria for social dysfunction
- Former combatants and survivors of sexual violence suffer even higher rates
These conditions persist in part because of limited access to mental health services.
We know Bucky Raw’s past. We know why he was deported. But we also know he has worked hard to rebuild his life—thriving as an entrepreneur and artist, and becoming one of Liberia’s most influential rappers. If cannabis use—widely recognized globally as a legitimate treatment for anxiety and depression—is being weaponized against him, then something is fundamentally flawed in our justice system.
The justice system should protect those still living with the psychological aftermath of war, not punish them for symptoms of that trauma. It should not be used to resurrect a person’s past to destroy their present.
If justice is to mean anything in Liberia, Bucky Raw deserves fairness, compassion, and access to professional mental health support—not public humiliation or political manipulation.
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