First Avenue cancels appearance by anti-gay reggae artist

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That is awesome that they canceled his concert. I think that all humans should have to answer for everything they said at age 15, whether it was recorded or not. I think that these comments should also be taken out of context, and the fact that the song refers in its entirety to a highly publicized pedophilia case should be totally ignored. But most importantly, we should all be judged by what we said at 15, 21 years ago. Or at least all black people, because otherwise we’d have to cancel elvis costello concerts for when he called Ray Charles a “blind, ignorant, N*****.” Oh wait, he was an adult when he did that. Well, whatever the case, as long as there is a double standard for black people, clearly we are for it.

That Man-Boy rape case story I’ll guarantee is total BS, anyway!

Too bad. The local GLBT community just lost an excellent opportunity to do informational picketing, not to mention a chance to see just who in town turns out for such an event.

Chances are good that many people would be attending for a “reggae” show, and might turn around and go home once they learned exactly what kind of show.

Not a victory in my book. Let them speak, sing, dance, whatever. Just make sure their audience knows the whole story.

Buju still performs the song, still profits from it, and has refused to apologize directly to the Gay community (by name) in a major Jamaican forum for it. Buju disavowed his signature on the Reggae Compassionate Act,

If a Country Music Artist was unrepetent about (and continued to play) a song about lynching blacks in Alabama (and used the pejorative to describe African Americans) would those who defend Buju be screaming to demand that private club owners associate with such garbage? Doubtful.

Whats the difference between an unrepentant celebrant of lynching of blacks and an unrepentent celebrant of lynching Gays?

Oh, I guess there are those who think that lynching Gays is somehow less offensive.

For the record, Buju played the song live in a concert in Guyana in 2007 (after his reported signature – since disavowed – on the Reggae Compassionate Act). This was also after his PR representative told Guyana’s newspaper of record, the Stabroek News prior to the concert, that Buju had moved on. Apparently he hasn’t.

“by pouring acid on them…”

Where are the lyrics about pouring acid ?!??!

in my mind, as long as the artists are not actually instigating violence here in the nightclubs, they should be allowed to say whatever the hell they want. how is this any different from heterophobic hardcore bands like cult ritual or middle america talking about killing “breeders” or death metal bands talking about massacring hordes of women for sexual gratification? granted, jamaica actually has a problem with anti-gay violence, and i don’t think that this music helps, but the music is NOT the cause of the violence – rather it’s an outgrowth of a staunchly conservative culture that’s pumped full of alpha male ideology. if you want to make a change, instead of outright banning something that you don’t like, why don’t you do what many other american dancehall fans have done and go to the shows and TALK to the artists and tell them: “i love your music, i love it when you focus on the struggles we all face, when you talk about reality in a raw way, but the homophobic ideas really bother me.” sean paul and vybz kartel both offered public apologies after a number of fans did exactly that.

i love the music and i love the artists, even if i don’t agree with some of their messages, i can still appreciate and value the sacred nature of their creativity and passion.

so thanks for spoiling the opportunity for a large number of people to enjoy a style of music they so rarely get to come into contact with. i’m sure it just makes dancehall musicians want to embrace the community so much more. by the way, you can’t force your ideology onto someone else, and they can’t force theirs on you, in case you forgot.

This was the response from Buju Banton’s publicist ,which no journalist seem to be interested in, probably because he’s not on a major label with advertising $ behind him anymore:

(New York, NY – 3, September 2009) Gargamel Music is pleased to confirm that four-time Grammy nominated Reggae artist and icon, Buju Banton will kick off his hotly anticipated Rasta Got Soul US Tour on September 12th in Philadelphia. We are disappointed by the hasty cancellation of a few shows by Live Nation/House of Blues and Goldenvoice/AEG, but fans will be happy to know we have over 30 confirmed shows that are definitely playing and we are working to replace the canceled dates. Now our team is primarily concerned with setting the record straight on the grossly inaccurate portrait of Buju being painted by certain organizations and systematically relayed to the masses and the media.

Buju Banton was all of 15-years-old when he wrote “Boom Bye Bye” in response to a widely publicized man/boy rape case in Jamaica. It was not a call to violence. The song was re-released on a popular dancehall rhythm in 1992 and caused a huge uproar after receiving commercial radio play in the States. Following much public debate back then, prominent gay rights leaders – and Buju – decidedly moved on. For the record, it is the only song he ever made on the subject – and he does not perform it today. Those who have followed Buju Banton’s musical journey and have actually listened to his extensive catalog, know of his development into a world-class singer, songwriter and performer who can quietly sell out such prestigious venues as the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York and Brixton Academy in London.

He does not advocate violence. There has never been a shred of violence at any of his live shows. In fact, he commonly preaches against violence – against all people. Buju’s consistently positive messages of peace, love and enlightenment have never been lost in the music. His 1995 Grammy-nominated album ‘Til Shiloh marked a spiritual and musical transformation that yielded the classic narratives “Untold Stories,” “Wanna Be Loved” and “Murderer,” which personified the horrific increase in gun crimes in Kingston’s inner city. His Grammy-nominated Inna Heights (1997) garnered him numerous comparisons to the late, great Bob Marley. Long before Hollywood raised its collective consciousness about Darfur, there was Buju Banton wailing about the genocide happening in “Sudan” on 1999′s Unchained Spirit. His Friends For Life (2003) and Too Bad (2006) projects were both acknowledged with Grammy nods for Best Reggae Album. Buju’s latest Roots Reggae opus, Rasta Got Soul (2009), has already been welcomed with critical acclaim in the US, Europe and Japan.

The artist’s love for humanity is not just demonstrated in words but also in deeds. Twelve years ago he responded to the AIDS crisis in Jamaica by launching Operation Willy, an organization focused on raising monies for HIV positive babies and children who lost their parents to the disease. For three years he served as a celebrity spokesperson for Upliftment Jamaica, a US-based non-profit committed to working with underprivileged youth back home.

Yet none of these personal and professional accomplishments matter much to a gay lobby hell bent on destroying the livelihood of a man who has spent an entire career making amends — his way. Sadly, their 17 year fixation on waging war against one artist has prevented them from turning this initiative into a larger, more fruitful discussion that could perhaps effect real change.

Thank you for bringing this decision to my attention. Companies that give up the opportunity for profit in order to make an ethical stand, they deserve my support.

What a wonderful spin job–and it’s all bullshit.

“Yet none of these personal and professional accomplishments matter much to a gay lobby hell bent on destroying the livelihood of a man who has spent an entire career making amends — his way.”

Of course, “his way” means he does nothing to specifically address LGBT people or violence against us because that might upset his base in Jamaica. How ironic that his apologists are saying this after the brutal murder of a diplomat in Jamaica–the murderer left an anti-gay message behind.

Banton has done NOTHING to make amends to LGBT people. This is not Jamaica and LGBT people don’t have to cower in fear in the darkness. If Banton wants to come perform in our country, he can face our scrutiny.

Personally I hope all his appearances are cancelled.

I am glad this bigot’s date has been cancelled. I hope that the other ones will be too. Boycott Jamaica and Jamaican exports of all kinds until justice is achieved for gay people in that God-forsaken place.

That’s awesome! Jamaica is a god forsaken place! Yes! Let’s fight bigotry with bigotry! How about instead we try to figure out where people are coming from first… This does NOT that mean I or anyone else endorses the (out of context) lyrics of “boom bye bye.” BUT if the guy releases a bunch of albums that reach love, equality, and understanding, perhaps there is more to him than one lyric that he wrote at age 15. And, if we want to see him understand that LGBTQ people deserve the same love and equality, we need to teach him that, not penalize him for something he said in 1988 (And something that is sadly very acceptable in jamaica).
Let us think how we would feel if any of us were unable to make our living because of something we said at age 15… and something everyone we knew said frequently as well. I know my reaction would be of straight anger… I would NOT think “maybe I was wrong, maybe I should reach out!”

Boom bye bye on a bati bwoyt head is one of the best reggae tunes of all times.I bump it all the time.That other sonf about chi chi man haffi dead by T.O.K. is so ill too. :)

Your country is killing innocent people in Iraq ,Palestine and Afghanistan everyday and you are offended by his lyrics?

I feel like my rights have been violated that I will not be allowed the opportunity to see this performer.

freedom of speech should not be taken away from an artiste, art is a representation of an artiste feelings, he felt like that when he was 15, not anymore and really if you don’t want to listen to his music why buy it, GLAD, LGBT need to work on their self esteem, in the jamiacan constitition homosexuality is a crime so, whatever why do you even fight hate with hate? you never get anywhere messing with this mans livelyhood, call on him for a respectible dialoge…… end of story please we will rock to buju and danchall regardless

Hi, can you direct me to any validated or confirmed information on this? He is performing in California and we want to have the shows cancelled … but need current, up to date information.

1. beatings of six gay men in Jamaica in 2004. Tom on Lazybrook

2. Comment posted September 9, 2009 @ 10:53 pm Buju still performs the song, still profits from it, and has refused to apologize directly to the Gay community (by name) in a major Jamaican forum for it. Buju disavowed his signature on the Reggae Compassionate Act,

If a Country Music Artist was unrepetent about (and continued to play) a song about lynching blacks in Alabama (and used the pejorative to describe African Americans) would those who defend Buju be screaming to demand that private club owners associate with such garbage? Doubtful.

Whats the difference between an unrepentant celebrant of lynching of blacks and an unrepentent celebrant of lynching Gays?

Oh, I guess there

The so called gay activists “Brian Williamson” was murdered by another gay man in Jamaica not by homophobics. As a matter of fact most homosexuals killed in Jamaica are killed by other gays

{First of all, let me make it clear that I am a Caribbean woman living in Minnesota and an LGBT supporter}

I believe that in light of the LGBT movement, shutting down the show was a great advocacy campaign, however, it was a total let down for reggae music lovers. I strongly believe that given the opportunity to entertain, Buju would not perform songs to offend the community, especially in a city where we are embraced.

Also, I don’t believe that anyone should personify his lyrics or any song’s lyrics for that matter, especially today. The airways are saturated with songs filled with profanities, merely aimed at one goal.. “to sell.” Buju also made the effort to sit down with LGBT activists, which is definitely a great move on his part to clean up his anti-gay image. He even stated that he doesn’t perform the song anymore and he’s moved past that, referring to his anti-gay lyrics in “Boom Bye Bye”.

As it relates to human rights, Buju has been actively involved and vows to do more. He founded Operation Willy, which is a pro-safe sex anti-AIDS organization he founded in 1994.

Finally, This is my plea for First Ave or reggae entertainment promoters to have Buju come back to Minnesota for a second chance. I’m sure I am not alone in saying that I would love to see him welcomed back to Minnesota to give a great performance. At the end of the day, great music is great music and Buju Banton is one of the greatest reggae artists of all times. As much as his anti-gay lyrics can be spewed on the world wide web, let the word be known about his humanitarian work and his growth as a respected artist.

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2009/10/exclusive_buju_banton_sits_dow.php
http://www.indemandtalent.com/talent/artist.php?id=19

I heard his shows were just canceled in Orlando and Tampa.
Unfortunately the Cuban Club is picking up the show. On top of this WMNF Community Radio 88.5FM is still playing his music. 5 songs – I call this payola. What the fuck?

Despite PR from Gargamel Music, which is a company that is owned and run by Mark Myrie, aka “Buju Banton,” all the evidence from statments, stage comments, and performance videos shows that Buju Banton is as homophobic now as he was in 1992. In 1992, he apologized for “Boom Bye Bye,” then immediately withdrew his apology. In 1992, he said that he “doesn’t condone violence” and then he continued to sing “Boom Bye Bye” until at least 2004. He has never pulled back, in any way, from the Leviticus 20:13 message of the song.

Equality Florida says that the 10/31/09 Miami “Reggae Bash 2009″ lost $100,000 http://tinyurl.com/ykamgxn

Mark Myrie, aka “Buju Banton,” is currently a federal prisoner being held in the Pinellas County jail in Clearwater, Florida. He is being held on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilos of cocaine. The trial is expected to be held in Tampa, Florida in April 2010.