BASSETERRE, St. Kitts- JAMAICAN reggae artiste Buju Banton was forced to cancel a seven-city US tour after concert promoters bowed to pressure from gay activists. Gay rights groups are on the war path over anti-gay lyrics like “Boom, bye bye, in a batty boy’s head,” which are in some of Buju Banton’s popular songs.
According to CaribWorldNews.com, two prominent concert promoters – Live Nation and AEG Live – cancelled shows by Buju Banton following protests by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
Banton was scheduled to do a seven-city tour this fall.
He was supposed to perform in Chicago on October 1 at the House of Blues, which is owned by Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment company. However, Live Nation called off this appearance as well as scheduled appearances by him at House of Blues venues in Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas.
AEG Live/Goldenvoice also cancelled three Buju Banton concerts that were set for Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
Buju Banton has attracted criticism over his homophobic lyrics. For example, critics have denounced his song ‘Boom Bye Bye’, charging that it exalts the torture and murder of gay men.
On January 16, 2006, Banton was acquitted of charges that, as part of a group, he had participated in the assault of some gay men in Kingston. In 2007, Banton was among a number of reggae artists who signed a pledge called ‘The Reggae Compassionate Act’. By signing it, he promised to refrain from performing homophobic songs or making homophobic statements. Banton later denied participation in any such agreement.
Born Mark Anthony Myrie but known to many as Gargamel, he is one of the most popular musicians to come out of Jamaica. His music career began in the 1980s, and in the past two decades he has had nine successful albums including his most recent one ‘Rasta Got Soul’.
Banton also is known for many big hits including ‘Willy Don’t Be Silly’, ‘Browning’, ‘Murderer’, ‘Untold Stories’, ‘Bogle’ and ‘Sleepless Nights’.
This has not been the first time that gay activists have stopped a performance by Buju Banton.
