Homophobic reggae beats
on
by J.A. Lopata
Reggae dance hall favorite Beenie Man has continued to
have concert dates cancelled around the world because of his
homophobic lyrics. The latest was a concert in Miami
associated with the MTV Video Music Awards.
Sporting goods giant Puma has even threatened to pull
concert promotional backing if the singer performs one of
his songs with lyrics calling for the killing of gay people.
There is also currently a criminal investigation mounted in
Britain to determine whether or not UK hate laws are
violated by the lyrics of Beenie Man as well as Buju Banton,
Bounty Killer and Elephant Man, who also use homophobic
language.
A statement disavowing Beenie Man of hateful lyrics was
released by his label, Virgin Records. But after distancing
himself from the release, there is doubt as to whether
Beenie Man approved the statement.
Some are starting to call for a boycott of Virgin.
Two years ago Beenie Man spoke to The Associated Press about
the issue saying, “I don’t support homosexuality because I’m
not homosexual, but I don’t hate gay people. ... Jamaicans
come right out and say, ‘We don’t deal with homosexuals.’
... That’s why the music is homophobic? I don’t understand.”
Activist groups like UK’s OutRage! hope that Beenie Man and
others may understand the value of money.
This
piece first appeared in "In Newsweekly: New England's
largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
newspaper."
September 9, 2004 |