I have done a number of posts about the vile homophobia contained in some of the lyrics of Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton - who is currently cooling his heels in a federal lockup in Florida on charges that he sought to purchase cocaine for distribution. Indeed, I have been attacked by some Banton supporters for my commentary. However, Banton is not the only Jamaican performer who has sung about anti-gay acts in songs and now, it would seem that other Jamaican acts are having increasing difficulty getting booked for performances in the USA and Europe. While Jamaican citizens and the Jamaican government may be willing to close their eyes to the toxic lyrics of some top Jamaican performers, apparently other countries and their citizens are not. A story in the Jamaica Gleaner looks at the fall out/backlash that is occurring against other Jamaican acts. I realize that not all Jamaicans are homophobes and I know from personal experience what a beautiful place the country is in many ways - I visited Jamaica several times in the early 1980's and even attended a meeting at Government House sitting across the table from the then Prime Minister. But, one can only hope that non-homophobes in Jamaica will get a message from this circumstance and seek to rein in the country's vile anti-gay thug performers. Here are some story highlights.*
The lengthening rap sheets of some Jamaican artistes may prevent them from touring countries including the United States and most of Europe. Music industry analyst Clyde McKenzie, who helped fashion the careers of dancehall stars Beenie Man, Tanto Metro and Devonte, told a December 22 Editors' Forum at The Gleaner's North Street offices, that recent incidents involving dancehall acts in Europe and North America have hurt the genre's image. Several Caribbean countries have also slammed their doors on Jamaican acts, including Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa and Mavado.
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[M]ore and more doors are closing on our artistes, and that is a significant problem," McKenzie commented. Dancehall acts have run afoul of the law in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in the past four years. Protests by gay-rights groups against Beenie Man, Buju Banton and Sizzla resulted in the cancellation of some of their shows, but this has failed to satisfy the homosexual community, which wants a full ban on the artistes. Banton's run-ins with gay groups in the US this summer, and his arrest on cocaine charges in Miami on December 10, have complicated matters.
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"The doors are being closed as far as immigration is concerned, whether it is the perception about violence or homophobia. You find that some Caribbean territories are refusing to have artistes from Jamaica on their soil," McKenzie said. With record sales taking a dive due to the growing digital market, touring has become invaluable for Jamaican performers. Those prospects were dealt a big blow recently in the US, which remains the most lucrative live-show market for many dancehall and traditional reggae acts. In November, the United States citizens and immigration services announced stringent requirements for visa approval.
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McKenzie is concerned that the Economic Partnership Agreement, signed by the European Union and Caribbean countries in April 2008, may have similar implications if dancehall artistes do not stay clear of controversy. . . . "The Europeans are finding a number of reasons and setting up a number of different structures to prevent our artistes from going there," McKenzie said. "So the days when a guy (artiste) had some immigration issues but a promoter had money to spend (to get them in the country), those days are gone because they (promoters) now have to be licensed."
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Jamaicans remain free to perform whatever they want in their country, but they have no inherent right to travel to other nations and sing about violence against citizens of such host countries. Just maybe, the Jamaican government will get its head out of its ass and wake up to the fact that rampant homophobia is not good for the nation's bottom line. When all else fails, hitting folks in their pocket book tends to get their attention.
The lengthening rap sheets of some Jamaican artistes may prevent them from touring countries including the United States and most of Europe. Music industry analyst Clyde McKenzie, who helped fashion the careers of dancehall stars Beenie Man, Tanto Metro and Devonte, told a December 22 Editors' Forum at The Gleaner's North Street offices, that recent incidents involving dancehall acts in Europe and North America have hurt the genre's image. Several Caribbean countries have also slammed their doors on Jamaican acts, including Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa and Mavado.
*
[M]ore and more doors are closing on our artistes, and that is a significant problem," McKenzie commented. Dancehall acts have run afoul of the law in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in the past four years. Protests by gay-rights groups against Beenie Man, Buju Banton and Sizzla resulted in the cancellation of some of their shows, but this has failed to satisfy the homosexual community, which wants a full ban on the artistes. Banton's run-ins with gay groups in the US this summer, and his arrest on cocaine charges in Miami on December 10, have complicated matters.
*
"The doors are being closed as far as immigration is concerned, whether it is the perception about violence or homophobia. You find that some Caribbean territories are refusing to have artistes from Jamaica on their soil," McKenzie said. With record sales taking a dive due to the growing digital market, touring has become invaluable for Jamaican performers. Those prospects were dealt a big blow recently in the US, which remains the most lucrative live-show market for many dancehall and traditional reggae acts. In November, the United States citizens and immigration services announced stringent requirements for visa approval.
*
McKenzie is concerned that the Economic Partnership Agreement, signed by the European Union and Caribbean countries in April 2008, may have similar implications if dancehall artistes do not stay clear of controversy. . . . "The Europeans are finding a number of reasons and setting up a number of different structures to prevent our artistes from going there," McKenzie said. "So the days when a guy (artiste) had some immigration issues but a promoter had money to spend (to get them in the country), those days are gone because they (promoters) now have to be licensed."
*
Jamaicans remain free to perform whatever they want in their country, but they have no inherent right to travel to other nations and sing about violence against citizens of such host countries. Just maybe, the Jamaican government will get its head out of its ass and wake up to the fact that rampant homophobia is not good for the nation's bottom line. When all else fails, hitting folks in their pocket book tends to get their attention.
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