Bye, Bye Buju: Venues dump Jamaican dancehall artist over songs that promote the killing of gays
”I hope this victory sends a deafeningly loud message to other promoters and concert venues that singers who glorify violence against LGBT people, or any group of people, should never be welcomed. It shouldn’t be necessary for us to pressure promoters to do the right thing; people like Banton should never have been booked in the first place.”
Lorri L. Jean, of the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, speaking out about the booking and subsequent cancellation of several tour dates for dancehall music performer, Buju Banton. The Jamaican musician has, for 20 years, tussled with gay activists in the U.S. and Britain over his heinous lyrics that clearly call for the injury and murder gay people — especially gay men — through the use of bullets and acid. His home nation of Jamaica is widely regarded as being among the top most dangerous and anti-gay environments in the world. Even in recent years, it has been reported that gays there have been chased, injured, and even murdered by mobs. For his part, Banton has defiantly shrugged off the confrontations, and a publicist once said he has moved on from his teenage years when he created the song, ”Boom Boom Bye-Bye.” There doesn’t appear to have ever been an apology issued from Banton himself. Though several performances of his current U.S. tour were canceled, it has been reported that others still remain. (Entertainment Weekly)
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