Stop The Killer B's

By Keith Boykin, in music
Friday, July 7 2006, 10:00AM

British activists protest killer B's

British concert promoters abruptly pulled the plug this week on performances by two well-known Jamaican dancehall recording artists, Buju Banton and Beenie Man. The two men were essentially banned in parts of Britain this week when their scheduled concerts in Brighton and Bournemouth were canceled after complaints from gay rights groups. The two performers have recorded songs widely believed to be homophobic, but last year they seemed to agree to organizers' demands that they stop using and justifying their gay bashing songs.

But they never stopped. That's why British gay rights groups said they planned to put a halt to performances by three Jamaican musicians -- Banton, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man -- after discovering that they were still singing songs with anti-gay lyrics. The move followed an international boycott against homophobic singers that resulted in the cancellation of several concerts in 2004.

It's good to see the British are active, but why aren't we speaking up with the same outrage here in the United States? The black gay community in the U.S. is much larger than the community in Britain. So why aren't black gays and lesbians leading the charge against homophobic music in black America?

Homophobic Lyrics

The songs have been called “murder music." Banton's 1992 song "Boom Bye Bye" calls for “batty boys” or gay men to be shot in the head, set on fire or attacked with acid. Beenie Man's song "Han Up Deh" calls for lesbians to be hanged.

Maybe it's an issue of translation. Jamaica is a former British colony, so there seems to be a closer affinity between the two countries. But geographically speaking, Jamaica is far closer to the U.S. and many Jamaican-Americans have taken up residence in this country. But the lyrics are undeniably homophobic.

Listen to Buju Banton in "Boom Bye Bye." He says, “Anytime Buju Banton come, batty boy get up and run, ah gunshot in ah head man … Boom, bye bye, in a batty boy head.” The phrase "batty boy" is Jamaican patois slang to refer to a gay man. The lyrics to the song, loosely translated by the British press, mean the following: “Anytime Buju Banton comes along, gays get and up and run. A bullet in the head … Bang, bye, bye, in the gay man’s head.”

In Beenie Man's song "Han Up Deh," he says, “Hang chi chi gal wid a long piece of rope.” The term "chi chi" is a Jamaican reference to homosexuality. The term is often used to refer to "chi chi men" but can also refer to lesbians (chi chi women or chi chi girls). Loosely translated, the lyrics mean, “Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope."

The British activists are also going after Bounty Killer, whose name alone is provocative, but some of his lyrics are even worse. In his song "Another Level," Bounty Killer sings, “Poop man fi drown an dat a yawd man philosophy.” Loosely translated, that means "Gays must be drowned and that’s a yardie man [Jamaican] philosophy."

Putting An End To Anti-Gay Performances

Activists in Britain had had enough several years ago. After being insulted by the recording artists, they called for a boycott of the homophobic music and threatened the homophobic artists with protests and negative publicity. The campaign garnered international attention and seemed to pay off once the gay rights groups reached a "verbal agreement" with performers and record labels last February that the performers would cease and desist from singing and promoting their homophobic music.

For their part, the record companies pledged "not to re-release any existing offensive material or publish new homophobic songs," according to the media accounts of the agreement. They also agreed to discourage their recording artists from performing the tunes at concerts. But gay rights groups said this week that Banton has since performed "Boom Bye Bye" in Jamaica and that Beenie Man and Bounty Killer had delivered homophobic remarks at a festival in Jamaica last April. In a BBC radio interview three months ago, Banton said he was entitled to his views.

Buju Banton is right. He is entitled to his views. That's the hallmark of free speech. But he's not entitled to use his public platform to incite violence against a group of people. Peter Tatchell, founder of the British gay rights group Outrage!, put it this way. "Since I am sure no one would host a singer who called for the lynching of black people, we expect the authorities to take a similar stance against singers who call for the shooting or burning of gay people.”

What made it more insulting is that Banton had been scheduled to perform at a night club in Brighton’s gay district. The club, Concorde 2, decided to cancel the concert after being told by the local authorities that it risked losing its license on the grounds that the performance could endanger public safety. That's an extraordinary move for a local government to take.

Here in the U.S., I'm not sure I want to give our local police the discretion to decide that a music concert poses a threat to public safety based solely on the views of the performers. Rap groups like NWA, whose 1989 song "Fuck The Police," might be the first to be banned. But the issue here is less about the specifics of the strategy than the need to take action.

It's 2006, and it's time for gays and lesbians on this side of the pond to wake up and get involved in stopping the homophobic music in our own country. Yet when Buju Banton performed in May at the UCLA Jazz Reggae Fest, there was hardly even a whimper of protest. We need a public education campaign to let people know about some of the homophobic music and artists out there. And we need to teach some of the anti-gay artists a lesson. If you mess with us, we'll mess with you.

Comments (23) reveal

Comments conceal

Bernie[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 11:04AM

Knowing how the White British community has long felt about West Indian immigrants, I wonder how these singers would feel if musicians started turning out songs saying, "Kill the Jamaicans" or "Hang the Rastas?" Would they still consider it free speech?

j. brotherlove[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 11:06AM

Wow. Now this is interesting. Keith, I think you already know the answer to the questions you ask. But do your readers? Hmm...

-G-
July 7 2006, 11:29AM

Black gays are not comfortable enough with their sexuality to take to the streets and demand rights like the Brits...And even when it comes down to listening to hostile lyrics like those of DMX,Busta, and being attached to the larger community in a since makes it harder to go against the homophobic grain that is deeply inrooted in the African American community

And if one even decides to take a stand against it, they might stand alone...but overall, its a great idea. Its just too bad we often explore those things in our self-conscious, but we never act upon them.

And in all honesty,in my opinion, the black gay community in the U.S. is the most powerless group of people in the country.

Den
July 7 2006, 12:15PM

I think its easy to just ban this artist and that artist from performing wherever. But in Jamaica it will never stop. You ignore the problem if you leave it alone in Jamaica and say, as long as they dont come to my town, I dont care.

Truth be told you won't find too many big name Jamaican based artists who haven't recorded anti-homosexual lyrics in the past. And that includes both Sean Paul and Damian Marley.

Kenneth Winfrey[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 12:22PM

I propose that--thanks to the homophobia spewed forth at so many churches each Sunday, the other many examples hyper-masculinity here, and the constant barrage of anti-gay sentiment from policy makers--we have become desensitized to homophobic messages. Too many of us think it's OK that we hide who we are when we know full well that it's not just about privacy...and we take all this abuse because some of us are still buying into it.

In "Earning the Right to Complain," we discussed this lack of empowerment among us who are afraid to stand up, proclaim that they are gay/SGL (or whatever one might call one's self), and fight for what is right. On one hand, I realize that coming out is a process, and that we all have to engage the process on our own terms--if ever. On the other hand, just know that you can't join the protesters on the streets until you get out of the closet!

Chris
July 7 2006, 12:26PM

Keith's commentary is interesting. I would like to complicate things, if I may, by pointing to an article in today's New York Times noting that Beenie Man (and other reggae artists) will be performing in NYC next weekend at an AIDS benefit. While I'm not excusing the homophobic nature of his previous work, I think his participation in this event needs to be taken into account. For years, AIDS was seen as a "gay disease," and that attitude continues in many parts of the world. The fact that Beenie Man is willing to lend his name to a fundraising event for AIDS prevention and education might be an opportunity for reexamination: he might reexamine his previous comments about gays, and we (black gays) might examine our desire to condemn him outright without taking into consideration the good things he does.

Brezh
July 7 2006, 12:48PM

Why refer to these cretins as "artists"? Too many people equate penning words to music, slapping paint on a canvas or balancing something on a pedestal as "art" simply because the speaker has chosen those media for communicating their ideas rather than writing a letter to the editor or standing on the corner wearing a sign. Bigotry is bigotry -- even under the guise of "art."

nahtan Serious
July 7 2006, 12:51PM

Kudos for the British gays for taking a stand. I remeber when the boycott/protest was halted in 2004 and I was skeptical about that result since I knew first hand that Buju Beanie Bounty and most reggaei artistes continued to spew anti-gay rhetoric whenever they performed in jamaica and other parts of the west indies. I think they should be banned period so that they feel in the pocket. I'm tired of the hatred!

PAUL
July 7 2006, 1:21PM

As a HOMOSEXUAL JAMAICAN I have never felt safe in that god forbidden island. In the past 3 years I have lost a vast number of associates, acquantances and two close friends to heinous crimes. In 2004 I returned to the island and worked as a writer for a major newspaper.I soon discovered that not only were the majority of jamaicans homophobic but that Journalists in particular, were far worse. There were times when I cringed in editorial meetings when Journalists ranted and raved about 'faggots' and how they should be finished off. Needless to say I got scared and tendered my resignation thereafter. Just as I handed in my resignation, another gay man was mutilated in his Apartment and pictures on the photo journalists' cameras provided a very grim reality, to put it mildly. Everyone was non-chalant about it unlike yours truly who vomitted as the reality hit me. (You may have recalled the gay rights activist, Brian williamson, who was killed in 2004 in his New Kingston Apartment).

Kenneth Winfrey[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 1:40PM

...then let Beenie Man tell us that he is working to save everyone, including gay people, from HIV. He still spits lyrics that glorify the murder of gay people. Is he hoping that won't die from AIDS so that he can murder us with a gun?

That's having 6, no 5, in one hand with a half dozen in the other if I ever saw it.

Stuffed Animal
July 7 2006, 1:57PM

Nobody can use support for AIDS organizations to excuse calling openly for the murder of Gay men. What's more, no self-respecting Gay person could ever accept such an excuse. Chris's post absolutely reeks of internalized homophobia . . . "good things" do not come from hate! Beenie Man could play a hundred benefits and he'd still be an instrument of Satan. We need to value ourselves much more than we do.

Doug Cooper-Spencer
July 7 2006, 2:49PM

I agree with Kenneth and Stuffed Animal. The AIDS prevention movement is being co-opted by many people who still hold homophobic views, so let's not let any of them off the hook.
Also, I wonder if the black gay community in England is as tied to a 'virulent' black church as we are here. I know the Anglican Church can be a bit behind, but is its response as extreme as the black church here, and do many of the black community belong to churches that hold those extreme views? As well, if I remember correctly, the British government has deemed violent speeches against any group, including gays, a crime and has even begun to review the act of granting asylum to gays who are at risk to such violence in their countries. In short, there might be an infrastucture to support the UK black gay movement that's absent here. AND THAT IS WHY WE MUST STEP UP TO THE PLATE!

Chris
July 7 2006, 2:54PM

Thanks to the last two posters for their comments on my previous one. You both raise interesting points, and I'll complicate my own thinking (!) about these issues. Just briefly, I do wonder if one way black gays in the US can take steps similar to those the Brits have would be to contact the sponsoring organization of next week's AIDS benefit, Lifebeat, and ask them if they've considered the message it sends by having Beenie Man, in particular, perform at this event. Just a thought.

Keith Boykin[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 3:07PM

Good point. I went to the web site. LIFEbeat is the music industry's charitable organization dedicated to reaching America’s youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. They are sponsoring a benefit concert on July 18 in New York featuring TWO homophobic artists, Beenie Man and TOK.

REGGAE GOLD LIVE 2006 SUMMER JUMPOFF
Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street between 3rd & 4th Avenues
Doors open at 9pm

Promotional support provided by BET, Vibe magazine, Music Choice and Power 105.1

Emil Wilbekin, the openly gay former editor-in-chief of VIBE magazine, is on their board of directors. Hilary Rosen, the openly gay former head of the Recording Industry Association of America, is on their board of advisors.

LIFEbeat, Inc.
630 Ninth Avenue (between 44th and 45th Streets)
Suite 1010
New York, NY 10036
http://www.lifebeat.org/

Telephone: 212.459.2590
Toll-free: 800.AIDS.411
Fax: 212.459.2892

John Cannelli, Executive Director, x101, jcannelli@lifebeat.org

Sarah Peters Manager, Operations, x119, speters@lifebeat.org

Mel Smith
July 7 2006, 4:06PM

How in the world can those dudes participate in a AIDS awareness concert and then make anti gay music? This is sickening! The continent of Africa, for example, has the highest HIV cases in the world. Now, some of those countries in Africa have the same type of laws against gay people that the Nazis had against us in the 1930s. I pray for the children who are suffering but it is hard for me to care about the ignorant adults in those nations. The people must change their backwards thinking in those black nations and I am just being real. Money is not always the answer. Black folks in those countries have to realize that they are in the 21st century. Beenie man and the others just get their support from cowardly gay ministers who live heterosexual lives. I do think that poorer nations look to scapegoat a certain group of people in times of hardship.

Donald[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 7 2006, 5:35PM

Meanwhile, American Black gay organizations like this one feature music from artists who hate us.

Here are members of LIFEbeat's Boards of Directors and Advisors, many who are major players in the music industry. Also, here are contacts for GLAAD's media team, Clarence Patton (executive director of the Anti-Violence Project) and Kenyon Farrow (Communications & Public Education Coordinator of the New York State Black Gay Network). According to this article, the event is being produced Tonya Lewis and EARS Entertainment Group and is being promoted by BET, Vibe magazine and Power 105.1.

Where will you be on July 18th?

DDC
July 7 2006, 6:15PM

Gotta few points to make...

1- UK blacks can be just as homophobic as the Americans. Remember Justin Fashanu, and how much the black community turned on him when he came out? It broke his heart and he said that it was much more painful than all the racism he face that it helped drive him to suicide. 2- When was the last time white rapper Eminem with all of his homophobic lyrics got banned, pulled, and barred from performing??? HMMMM? Why the double standard??? Until I see sponsors bow to the pressure of Eminem protests, I'm not jumping on the anti-Reggae bandwagon. 3- How U think US black gays will get their collective arses up and protest anything homophobic when they can't even get up from a homophobic church and walk out for good? And I'm willing to bet that more gays have danced to 'Boom Bye Bye' than 'I Am What I Am' ever will.

Toph
July 7 2006, 6:29PM

Tonya Lewis Lee is not the same Tonya Lewis of EARS Entertainment Group.

C.Lee
July 8 2006, 12:05PM

We as black gays in America are too comfortable in our comfort zones. As long as it does not impact me personally I am not going to stick my neck out. Besides we are too busy decorating our closets to be overly concerned.

Donald[TypeKey Profile Page]
July 8 2006, 1:25PM

Thanks Toph for the correction about Tonya Lewis. And C.Lee, admission is often the first step to a solution.

The potential for 'personal impact' is quite high for all of us in a society that marginalizes our very existence, especially in ways that seem innocuous and insignificant. Those 'insignificant' messages, particularly those found in mass media, create mindsets and platforms that have proven to be hazardous to our lives. If the potential is hazardous to your life, then it's potentially hazardous to my life, too.

A lot of people I know personally who raise awareness and funds for our causes probably have lovingly decorated and organized closets. Thank goodness that's not all they're organizing ...

Mel Smith
July 8 2006, 6:09PM

It is sad that some of us become brainwash by Donnie McCONkin and other self hating black gay accomodationists. I just believe that change will only happened if more of us challenge oppression and support our organizations. Every group who has been oppressed had their sellouts. Jewish people had other Jewish people contribute to their oppression. Dr. King, Julian Bond, Dr. Joseph Lowery and others actually had some blacks who did not support their cause to end discrimination. Women and Black gays have self hating accommodationist like Donnie McClurkin and others to deal with. Black people who support oppressing people really do not care about the Civil Rights Movement. Because if they did, those individuals would not have the nerve to support oppressing another group of people, 38 years after they had been oppressed. Now, Jamaica has had a history of social problems and Buju Banton is a product of that environment. Unfortunately, gay folks are like the kids everyone used to pick on in high school.

Legin
July 14 2006, 3:28AM

DDC claims that white rappers have not come in for criticism over homophobic lyrics. This is just not true. There was major controversy over Eminem's 2000 "Marshall Mathers" album (see this article). Further, the type of lyrics produced by some reggae singers is far more incendiary and are rightly regarded as incitments to murder. There is a difference between shouting "hate fags" and "all battyman fi dead" (all gays must die/be killed). Types like Eminem have at least had the sense to eliminate this sort of thing from their music and public commentary. I note, with some little encouragement, that Beenie Man and Buju Banton are apparently trying to climb down from the high horses by making slightly conciliatory statements. This, however, does not mean that we should relive them of the pressure. Let them give up this hatefulness altogether!

Empress
August 1 2006, 6:44AM

You know what...I dont fancy gays and I am proud to say that! But you can not blame NO Jamaican singers what so ever for any deaths beacuse of their lyrics. You got to relieze that this is a Caribbean island and they worship there bible. God didnt put us on earth to fuck the same sex. Licking pussys and sucking dicks...are horrible. But inna way dont agree tahst all gays should die. If you act gay round me...Ill tell you striaght up get ur fuckin batty ass frum round me. Yall can try stop dese dancehall singers all u want but dere is no stoping them....Millions of people support there music including myself...But anyways I don't have nothing to say.


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