Comments on: First Avenue cancels appearance by anti-gay reggae artist

By: SamK

SamK — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:00:16 +0000

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.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:43:33 +0000

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?

By: Marilee

Marilee — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:47:45 +0000

{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

By: stagga

stagga — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:12:47 +0000

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

By: joan

joan — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:01:02 +0000

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

By: RASTAMANVIBE

RASTAMANVIBE — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:11:58 +0000

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

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:21:52 +0000

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

By: Rastah

Rastah — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:51:31 +0000

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?

By: peter

peter — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:40:05 +0000

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!”

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:55:44 +0000

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.