July 23, 2007

We’ll Believe It When He Never Sings “Boom Bye Bye” Again

Another Reggae Superstar Comes Out Against Anti-Gay Lyrics

Buju Banton is the latest top Jamaican reggae superstar to renounce homophobia and condemn violence against lesbians and gay men.

His notorious 1990s hit tune Boom Bye Bye, which he has, up to now, continued to perform at concerts, encourages listeners to shoot gay men in the head, pour acid on their bodies and burn them alive.

Now Banton has changed his tune; joining three other world famous reggae legends to sign the Reggae Compassionate Act (RCA) statement…

. . .

The agreement follows the three-year-long Stop Murder Music campaign, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of the singers’ concerts and sponsorship deals, causing them income losses estimated in excess of five million US dollars (£2.5 million).

“The Reggae Compassionate Act is a big breakthrough,” said Peter Tatchell, of the British gay human rights group OutRage!. Mr Tatchell is coordinator of the worldwide Stop Murder Music campaign. He helped negotiate the deal with the four singers. …

. . .

“This deal is already having a huge, positive impact in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The media coverage has generated public awareness and debate; breaking down ignorance and undermining homophobia. Having these major reggae stars renounce homophobia is influencing their fans and the wider public to rethink bigoted attitudes. The beneficial effect on young straight reggae fans is immense,” he said.

This is probably the first time we’ve ever thought Peter Tatchell, of all people, was being too optimistic.

It would be nice to believe that these reggae artists (especially Banton, one of the most talented reggae artists since Peter Tosh) have seen the light, but you know it’s really only about money.

We’ll just see if Banton can manage to restrain himself from advocating the murder of gay people at his next concert.

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Posted by: Sapphocrat

Permalink | Trackback | Category: Hate Crimes, Hate Music, Hate Speech, Homophobia, Jamaica

June 13, 2007

Change of Heart for Jamaican Hate-Music Stars? We’re Not Buying It.

Reggae Acts Sign Up to Renounce Homophobia

After years of promoting hatred, reggae artists such as Beenie Man, Capleton and Sizzla have signed an agreement to renounce homophobia in their music.

Despite winning a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2001, Beenie Man has had various concerts cancelled for his anti-gay stance on songs like “Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man, Queer Man)” as well as inciting the murder of gays and lesbians while performing.

However, the three artists have reportedly signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, which will work with both reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists.

In a statement, the artists pledged to “respect and uphold the rights of all individuals to live without violence due to their religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or gender. There’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia. We agree not to make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community.”

The Stop Murder Music campaign has been campaigning for this agreement for the last three years, fighting for the cancellation of hundreds of concerts as well as sponsorship deals, which has caused losses in excess of $5 million.

The only lesson they’ve learned is that parading their hatred in public results in a hit to the wallet — and gets them banned (and sometimes arrested) in Britain.

“Reggae Compassionate Act” — rrrrrrright. They haven’t even begun to atone for their criminal “music.”

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Posted by: Sapphocrat