The Guardian reported that Jamaican singer Buju Banton (above) has joined the likes of fellow reggae superstars Beenie Man and Sizzla to sign the "Reggae Compassionate Act" set up by campaign group Stop Murder Music to denounce homophobia in music. The star's song “Boom Bye Bye” discusses burning, throwing acid on, and shooting queers (not one for the gay club playlist then!). Yet in a seeming contradiction, he has also lent considerable support to causes such as safe sex, poverty reduction and anti-violence. He reportedly wrote Boom Bye Bye as a teenager, but was filmed performing it at a concert in Miami last year.
And there’s really not much of a positive spin to put on the song's lyrics.
Gay rights groups have been a pain in the butt for the likes of these artists, who have experienced serious financial loss in terms of cancelled fees from sponsorships and concerts. But the economic motive to sign the declaration may be a stronger impulse then actual support for gays and lesbians.
The Jamaica Observer reported that Beenie Man has already distanced himself from the act. The star reportedly told press at a recent concert that "we don't need to kill dem” (gays )… “I not supporting a gay lifestyle because it's not wholesome to me"… "It's a ting from the promoters of Europe. They are getting so much fight from the Christian and ‘g’ organisation and everything."
It seems that the Reggae Compassionate Act is very much driven by European promoters and activists. But will forcing reggae stars to sign an anti-homophobic pledge do anything to lessen the violence against gays and lesbians in Jamaica, where gay sex is still illegal?
As campaigners continue their efforts against other artists such as Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel, it remains to be seen whether censorship, albeit in the form of a “Reggae Compassionate Act”, is the right move for gay and lesbians in Jamaica.
For their sake, let’s hope it is, because they are the ones that will suffer, not the activists.
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