Saturday, August 29, 2009

Live Nation Cancels Four Buju Banton Concerts

It has been many years since I visited Jamaica or listened to reggae music and since that time the country and the much of the music I once enjoyed have become toxic in terms of homophobia. Indeed, killing gays has become a staple of the lyrics of some of the dance hall performers. With all the possible things to sing about, one has to wonder about the psychological issues these performers harbor - are the closet cases trying to hide their true sexuality via an outward strong offensive against gays or what. It all seems beyond bizarre to me. That concert promoters would bring this filth to the USA is troubling and demonstrates that some will apparently do anything to make a buck. Among the nasty performers is Buju Banton (pictured above) who has some lyrics that in my view have NO redeeming value. His song 'Boom Boom Bye' talks of shooting gay people and even burning gay men to death. - Here's a sampling(NOTE: batty boy is a term for gays):
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World is in trouble
Anytime Buju Banton come
Batty bwoy get up an run
At gunshot me head back
Hear I tell him now crew
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Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote the nasty man
Dem haffi deadBoom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
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Can you imagine a concert promoter getting away with booking concerts for performers who sang with glee about murdering blacks or Jews? I do not think they'd stay in business long. Yet promoting anti-gay murder songs is a okay with some. To me, it's all part of the agenda of some to make LGBT individuals sub-human. It is disgusting.
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Four upcoming shows from anti-gay singer Buju Banton have been canceled by Live Nation - the promoter - in four cities after outrage from gay groups. The concerts were to take place at the House of Blues in Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston. Unfortunately, there are others who worship the almighty dollar more than decency. Here are highlights:
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Banton is still set to play at Los Angeles' Nokia Club on October 14, San Francisco (really??) on October 10, and in Philadelphia on September 12. Concert promoter AEG Live refuses to cancel any upcoming shows.

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