Dancehall Artist Under Fire for Anti-Gay Lyrics PDF Print Write e-mail
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Tuesday, 08 September 2009 08:20

Jamaican dancehall reggae star Beenie Man has embarked on a U.S. tour to support his new album. Even though dancehall is an established genre in Jamaica and other regions of the world, Beenie Man is hoping to crack the U.S. market. Despite a glowing profile in The Washington Post, he may have a problem: His homophobic lyrics led Scotland Yard to intercept him at Heathrow Airport last month for questioning, and a London club cancelled a show for fear of protests by gay rights groups. Activists are calling for cancellation of Friday's show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Pa. Of particular concern is the song "Bad Man Chi Chi Man," which critics say incites audiences to kill gays. Joel Rose of member station WHYY, reports.

In recent days, Buju Banton was met with a cancellation of his U.S. shows due to gay rights groups.  It was expressed in a response from Buju Banton camp that the lyrics to the song in question was a response to a case regarding a youngster that was molested by an older male.  His song was in no way advocating death to gays.  Regardless of the statement, this song and its lyrics has been lingering and has caused several cancellations in Europe and the U.S.  At a time when the economy is not showing a form of reliable finanical strength, cancellations has caused promoters and artists millions.  Artists today fear their careers will be ruined by anti-gay sentiment so they refrain from putting anti-gay lyrics in their songs.  This move in some ways put some form of marketablity to the music, however it has not really increased the declining sales of Dancehall music.

What should be the next move for Jamaican Artists, should they bend to the will of the gay rights groups in order to perform in venues where they were once barred, or should they accept the lost and continue to stand for what they belief in even though it will cost them millions due to show cancellations?  Post your comments below.


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Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 September 2009 03:44
 
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-1 #9 candy 2009-12-15 22:09 I agree , what is tehg problem with expressing how one feels. Why is it such a big deal that one sings anti -gay lyrics, is REGGAE music that powerful that one cannot say how they feel come on. Its freedom of speech. IF an artist is against anti-gay .pedophilia , murderers , transgender them its freedom of speech… Homosexuals can do what the hell they want to do , so can reggae artist.. Give everyone a break and stop the complaining.. Don't buy or listen to teh music.. Reggae music is loved my mnany worldwide.. Few people against Artist making anti-gays songs won't be a big deal.. Please there is more important issue to face in America besides a REGGAE ARTIST that is anti-gay.. Alot of people are ANTI-GAY the only problem is people areen't as verbal and REGGAE MUSICIANS.. YOu hae to stand up for what you believe in ! Quote
 
 
-1 #8 supahdan 2009-09-11 18:46 I don't support the battyman behavoir, but what a man does in his own bedroom that is his business. Now u have these dancehall artists spewing anti gay lyrics for what reason I don't know. I truly believe these guys aren't comfortable w/ their own sexuality, for them to be so objective of ones sexual preference. Deal w/ more important things and stop the bloddy nonsense. Quote
 
 
0 #7 ahmed 2009-09-10 09:29 There are individual out there that focus on negatives. Regardless of sexual preference, they draw attention to a non-existence cause. Human right to live is pretty much a no brainer, however causing individuals to lose their livelihood because of something they say in their music is truly going overboard. However I do understand concert. Quote
 
 
0 #6 Karlos 2009-09-09 13:47 Quoting red rasta:
What would these artists say about racist bands like roanoke and screw driver that talk about lyncing blacks , i bet they would not like it, would they say that that was ok. Its one thing to have you opinion its another to spew hate.


I don't hear or see anyone trying to stop these bands from having shows anywhere. Quote
 
 
0 #5 red rasta 2009-09-09 13:34 What would these artists say about racist bands like roanoke and screw driver that talk about lyncing blacks , i bet they would not like it, would they say that that was ok. Its one thing to have you opinion its another to spew hate. Quote
 
 
0 #4 Karlos 2009-09-09 09:46 Remember that this is entertainment. Action movies are entertainment and so are other things that someone somewhere considers disgusting, wrong or unacceptable. Dog fighting, bull tipping, bull fighting… all done in the name of entertainment. Words don't kill people. I will be in the audience at the Electric Factory at that show having a SUPER time! Leave the dancehall artistes and their audience alone. If you don't like it then move along to something else. Quote
 
 
-1 #3 Lisa 2009-09-09 03:07 Have been recently to Jamaica and this was so boring and disgusting to hear again and again those MC's calling for gays killings. Many dance hall artists and the bobo ones are destroying Reggae and are serious threats to Reggae reputation .
Stop the hypocrites and reveal them at work in JA . Then they claim that they don't sing about killing of gays but unfortunately it is untrue.
We don't care about gays or not . So why they are so obsessed with this subject?? Quote
 
 
-1 #2 Karlos 2009-09-08 15:30 Homosexuals have a right to do what they do. Dancehall artistes are just that, Artistes, and should be allowed the freedom to do what they do for those who like it. I find that earplugs work quite well and there are other types of music. Personally, I don't care if someone is homosexual or not, that's their business. Dancehall people don't care either, we just love the music. Furthermore, the fact that there are homosexuals alive to protest and initiate the efforts to ban dancehall artistes is proof that what is said in the music is for amusement only. I'm sure Buju Banton or any other dancehall artiste don't intend to incite anti-homosexual voilence. These bans are illegal, in my opinion. WTF happened to freedom of speech? Quote
 
 
0 #1 Victor Gomez 2009-09-08 12:04 Since the begining Dancehall music has been about lyrics, whether, they are gay bashing, gun, gal, and even ganja chunee.
So why the fight Reggae muic is for the massive. It nuh really fi John Public right ? If gay dont like the lyrics then dont listen. Its your choice.
Ever heard of free speech ?? Quote
 

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