I just saw on Mother Jones’ blog The Riff that Buju Banton has joined the growing lists of dancehall artists who have agreed to stop performing their homophobic songs. in June, I wrote about Beenie Man, Capleton and Sizzla’s announcement to also cut the homophobia from their music. But before you get up and applaud. The Riff writes:
…Banton was considered a focus for OutRage! due to his notorious 1992 hit “Boom Boom Bye,” which called for “batty boys” (Jamaican slang for gay men) to be murdered in a variety of gruesome ways. The UK Guardian quoted a Jamaican gay rights leader as saying he hoped the singer’s actions were “genuine.”
His skepticism is understandable. In June it was reported that dancehall artists Beenie Man, Capleton and Sizzla had all signed the agreement, but on Sunday the Jamaica Observer published an interview with Beenie Man in which he denied signing the pledge. He did, however, offer the caveat of renouncing murderous violence against gays, quoted thusly: “We don’t need to kill dem. We just need fi tell the people dem the right ting because I not supporting a gay lifestyle because it’s not wholesome to me.” The Observer reported it was unable to contact Capleton and Sizzla for confirmation of their signing the agreement.
Developing…which is what i say when I don’t know how to conclude an entry. LOL!
