Buju Banton to Gays: "Fuck Them"

C. Baptiste-Williams
September 29 2006, 6:46PM

He is truly delusional. How do you go from never... to maybe 16 years ago.

nahtans
September 29 2006, 7:06PM

Just read this conerning HIV in jamaica and it paints a clear picture of the effect this man and people like him have on life for gays in that island

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34882

ChicagoChild
September 29 2006, 7:32PM

If Black people want justice in this world period, they had better stop this stuff. I am appalled at the amount of homophobia and gay bashing amongst Black people.

Of all that we have gone through and been denied based only on color and genetics, how can we then turn around and say that it is okay to discriminate against ANYONE based on WHO they are?

And as far as this nasty man's spokesperson saying he only sang or chanted a few of the lines----and then held an enlightening and uplifting debate afterwards--BULLSHIT!

Let us see someone GLEEFULLY singing about the death/torture of one of YOUR family members and see how you respond to it just being a "oh shucks!" moment!

cmoney
September 29 2006, 8:04PM

Did he say he wants to fuck some gay people? Seems like he's the one geting screwed now! How does it feel Buju? Need some lube? Let's keep up the pressure. He wan't talk about changing his homophobic lyrics so we should speak in a language he understands. The only dialogue he seems to understand is the one that affects his pocketbook. As the saying goes: money talks and B.S. walks!

Kenneth Winfrey
September 29 2006, 8:04PM

Well, that statement just proved everything we already knew concerning his capacity show respect to us--whether he "tolerated" us or not. The hot lights of media attention have a way of causing one to sweat and purge the truth...

Whenever one dismisses a people with such vulgarity and witlessness (only two words, eh?), then we know that his hatred is greater than any claim he might have to show "tolerance."

Yet, I will respond more like the Messiah he claims to worship: "Love him." For those who need love the most are often the ones who seem to deserve it the least...

Etienne
September 29 2006, 8:18PM

The lyrics of this song say it all....I was really shocked!!! There is nothing ambiguous about their message..It just reminded me of the horrible pre-genocidal messages that harangued people to kill their neighbours in Burundi & Rwanda in 1993 & 1994....

IT IS WRONG!!!!!!!!!!

taylor Siluwé
September 29 2006, 8:21PM

I think somebody is getting rattled ... which means we are doing something right. He should be pissed. And the more performances that are canceled and/or protested, he'll be more pissed.

Then maybe, he'll realize he's in a losing battle.

CPAPhD
September 29 2006, 9:21PM

Very interesting chain of events. I don't know whether to question his character or his sanity. But, as the old adage goes, what's done in the dark will come to the light....eventually. Oh well...

ChicagoAngel
September 29 2006, 9:32PM

So to the people who posted in the previous blog, DO WE STILL NEED A DIALOGUE WITH HIM"? He cleary doesnt think we're nothing so lets treat him as such. Bash us then bash him back! Shut him down!

loi wade
September 29 2006, 11:23PM

Ha! What a day , what a day! I was wondering when the real buju would rear his ugly head. He finally opened his damn mouth and showed the world who he truly is! Oh I just couldn't be happier. Well, Bellah, How do you like his last comments. Explain him saying "I haven't bashed any gays in 16 years" with your free speech bull shit. Of course I don't expect you to comment on this because there is no way in hell you can excuse away this behavior.

Donald
September 29 2006, 11:42PM

To Tracii MacGregor:

Girl, you may want to start looking for another job. Just think of how much more pleasant it will be to do public relations for someone with some integrity. At the very least, someone who can afford to pay you ...

Bellah
September 30 2006, 12:23AM

You know lately I find myself saying "fuck the republicans" a lot. I know that with the suspension of Habeus corpus this work I could end up in prison with no rights whatsoever all to the thanks of "the greatest country in the world". What does that say about me and what does that say about you. why does this situation remind me of the Republicans. mmmm

do the terms bully, intolerance, zenophobe, heterophobe, classist , pig, mean anything to you. It has long been my experience that there is no community more prejudiced, more sexist, classist, racist etc. etc. than the gay community, black gay commuity included . And speaking of "hate speech" Buju cannot hold a candle to Fox news. mmmmmm who did I see on the O'Reilly show last week. dialogue with the enemy, what a novel concept. I guess its okay to dialogue with the enemy if they will put us on their network during prime time

Mel Smith
September 30 2006, 12:24AM

People have made religion into a joke. The people are so 'religious' in Jamaica. Yet the country has a high case of murder and they are possibly keep hetereosexual people from visiting the island, because of there homophobia. See, I don't want children to suffer in Jamaica, but I honestly might want to ask some hetereosexual people to not visit Jamaica. Again, you don't have to agree with homosexuality. My beef is with people who would openly advertise exterminating a group of people. These people are dividing fathers and sons from one another. A man killed his 3-year-old son because of his homophobia and a man humiliated his teenage son in Jamaica, because of homophobia. Therefore, gay prejudice actually have BLOOD family members hating one another. If we don't stop this, we are fools!

Jeff
September 30 2006, 2:00AM

Once again Bellah, you're speaking nonsense. First of all, how can we be heterophobes? Last I checked, it still took a man and a woman to have kids. You never once addressed Wade's or anybody else's questions they've asked you. How would you feel if someone sang "kill all the women" or "kill all the black people" in concerts around the world? Would you really feel that it's okay? Since you seem so bent on name calling and telling people they're doing it wrong, what, in your opinion, is the alternative? Why even bother asking you because it's apparent that you don't know the answer.

tay hota
September 30 2006, 9:55AM

I see, so we're not tolerant enough of his lack of tolerance for us? hmmm, okay.. sounds familiar, I think there's a president hiring somewhere...

loi wade
September 30 2006, 10:27AM

Bellah ,you remind of a character from ALICE IN WONDERLAND. I knew I could incite a 'nonsense' comment from you and you didn't disappoint! You never stick with the topic at hand. You start rambling all off into left field like a nut on a new york subway. The man said he hasn't bashed any gays in 16 years, so he is admitting to beating someone simply because he doesn't like who they are. But everyone with some sense,and it is obvious this does not include you, knows it was more recent than that. And why do you continue to say 'gays and lesbians'? why don't you just say the 'people' that are protesting? O'reily, fox news, Bush!? Chile' please!! And since when is the media the bad guy, Ms. freedom of speech? Hunh? They certainly gave Buju the opportunity to show his ass to the world. But thats what you want hunh? For him to have the opportunity to tell his side. Well, he did and he sure didn't have much to say.

loi wade
September 30 2006, 10:57AM

Jeff, I just clicked on your link about 'prussian blue' the two racist babies (doesn't that sound stupid?).Yes, I heard something about them before. But what I think is really funny is that even desperate hurricane katrina victims wouldn't accept their help because they only wanted to assist the white victims.

Elijah Jek
September 30 2006, 11:16AM

I’m glad Buju Banton has shown his true colors. Hopefully, consumers of his music will see what type of man he is and close their wallets to him.

jared
September 30 2006, 11:21AM

this guy is nuts, but, he has a following, and they are going to back him even more. don't know what sort of music this is, but,it sure does seem to draw some angry, bitter, unattractive men with sexuality problems. what gay man in his right mind would hit on this creature? with the high rate of murder in jamacia, one of the highest in the world, the livivng conditions must be awful and lead to this rage and hate, have to find a scapegoat for a unfullfilled life it seems. but, gay bashing is the in thing to do these days, from the white house to the pope to your elected officals, so, why is a two bit singer not going to do it as well?

Regan DuCasse
September 30 2006, 12:42PM

Words hurt.
Words are powerful.
Words can incite violence and storms of anger.
You know the power of the word 'nigger.'
And what that evokes.

Sakia Gunn is buried in the ground. Just a child.
I can live with Banton being cancelled here. He, after all, can still go on saying what he wants to.
He is not being silenced. He is feeling the consequences of his actions. We don't have to accept what he says without protest.
There was never any promise that he could profit from his words unconditionally.

How does not being accepted FEEL, Buju Banton?
How does it FEEL that anger can go BOTH ways?
The most you get to lose is money.
That's a better fate than your life to violent death!

Troy
September 30 2006, 2:29PM

And we need a FUCKING quilt with the names and faces of those FUCKED over and killed by attitudes like this guy, so he can FUCKING see what it really means to be FUCKED off by his words and his music. Yes, a quilt so he can wrap himself in it to truly know we too, want him to know to go FUCK HIMSELF like he told us!

jazzi
September 30 2006, 10:54PM

My girl Tanya Stephens has a new cd out. It's called "Rebelution". On that cd is a song called "Do You Still Care". Recommended listening. Taking into account that she herself is a Jamaican, recording a song like this is a bold move. But then her music always was a bit deeper than the average dancehall artist, particularly female dancehall artists(Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Cecile, Sasha etc.) so I'm not surprised that she would tackle issues like racism, sexism, & homophobia in her music. Everything she does isn't serious but there is an undeniable "consciousness" to her flow, at least to me there is.

Buju should take notes from Tanya. She no doubt could teach him a thing or two about tolerance.....real tolerance.

jd
October 1 2006, 1:03AM

You know...this is not fair..the way everyone is beating up on Buju. I don't blame him for saying what he said. It could've been stated better, but if you push a man up against a wall long enough, he's gonna come out swinging....especially when you start messin' w/ his livelihood. You know, rappers rap about "F" the police and all other kinds of things about women, but I don't hear no one talking about that...boooooy........this is really ridiculous. If the man agrees not to perform the song, will everyone stay off his back!!!!! Let the man live!!!

ChicagoAngel
October 1 2006, 2:45AM

On a side note. How can anyone so darn ugly and oogly talk so bad about another group of people?

Steve
October 1 2006, 9:22AM

Fuck Buju.

latisha
October 1 2006, 9:28AM

I believe people that act like that and have a million excuses are the ones who are "hiding" something. Seems to me this guy likes to be in the news. What is he trying to prove? Eventually someone will come with some evidence of his homosexual activities. He disgusts me.

Jeff
October 1 2006, 11:49AM

JD what are you talking about? Yes rappers were talking about "F" the police but you see what happened. White folk from the white house got right on top of that one real quick and you haven't heard anything since. And while some rappers can be misogynistic, they aren't rapping about killing women but we're just supposed to take sit while he raps about executing us? I don't think so. When you've walked a mile in a black gay man's shoes dealing with racism and homophobia, come back and tell me I'm supposed to just say nothing. Until that time, I'm going to say what I please about someone calling for my death.

chicagoangel
October 1 2006, 2:40PM

some people just can't see it. I dont hear rappers talking about KILLING woman for gay men for that matter. When a performer starts talking about KILLING a group of people because of his hate and disgust for them then you must take action because someone is going to take his words seriously. I bet he would do something crazy himself if he didnt think he would get caught.

THATS THE POINT! HE WANTS GAY AND LESBIANS DEAD! so why defend him?

Mel Smith
October 1 2006, 8:38PM

And people are actually killing gay and lesbian folks, because of people like him.

M
October 1 2006, 10:51PM

I’m a heterosexual female and I am disgusted by his words and homophobia in the black community. A few of my friends are going to one of shows and I am deeply disappointed in them. I applaud those who continue to protest him and hit him where it hurts, his wallet! People need to learn that gay and lesbian are human just like anyone else, black people should know this the best. The bible says a lot if things and threat those how you want to be treated is one of them.

JD
October 2 2006, 4:37AM

And again, even w/ the misuse and abuse of women in the entertainment industry, no one in the community (black) is jumping up and having Jay-Z, Nas, or any of the other rappers to cancel their shows! Every misogynistic song "kills" women everyday...which is evident when we see our young black females dressing like hookers, or in the clubs acting like porn stars. And let's not overuse the term "homophobia," for a phobia requires more than hateful slur. I can understand everyone's anger, but all I'm saying is is that I can understand Banton's anger also. And why is it that..........nevermind....such a reply to really break this down cud take all nite and I don't have the time. My stance is IF the man makes a public apology and agrees not to perform the song, then let the man make a living. I'm done on this issue.

tilly
October 2 2006, 11:33AM

1. Buju Banton's response of "Fuck Them" is no different from this campaign's goal to "Fuck Him".

2. Resorting to name-calling & demonizing - note the distasteful references to his person - sounds just as childish, vengeful & stupid as Buju's inadequate responses to the protests/issues.

3. This campaign is being driven by a potent mix of narrow self-interest, prejudice, ignorance & big-dickitus. NIMBYism in afAm/queer face. Protest his concerts? Sure, that's what we should do if we feel so strongly about this issue. But he's a defiant straw-man. Don't expect him to "bow" b/c we say so -- think Shi'ites' response to Bush's war on Iraq.

4.If Buju does not perform BBB in the US -- highly unlikely; it will continue to happen under the "gay radar" -- & apologizes (for what tho? he know holds a stupid opinion that he really believes in), the backlash from the campaign will continue & its Jamaicans who will feel it. Meanwhile, Keith & his followers will have moved on to the next "hot" issue...

nahtanSerious
October 2 2006, 12:38PM

Tilly ...you clearly come from the school of "you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't so do nothing". Unfortunately that view is too negative for me. I think very important points has been made with this campaign and if there is a backlash then so be it. Ultimately it is up to us to continue to fight for what we believe in.

Jeff
October 2 2006, 2:24PM

JD, did you even read this article? You really think he would ever apologize? This article says differently. Like yourself, I don't have time to break it down to make you understand why this is not acceptable.

tilly
October 2 2006, 5:36PM

nahtanSerious: no, I don't come from that school, but I'm not surprised that you wouldn't hear what I said...I'm from the "think and act smart" school of activism. Some of this campaign's steps are right-on; most of it, including the attitudes that it is cultivating among lgbt AfAm is very problematic. Likewise the linking of Buju with the Klan, and all kinds of other homophobic violence etc. I'll leave that alone for now. Suffice it to say, it might feel mighty good to flex our political muscle and run di "likkle ugly rasta island bwoy" outta town & show him who's boss, but I'm much more interested in the implications for gay and lesbian Jamaicans at this point...can't say that this has much beyond more of the same; but like you all, I too will wait and see.

Fola
October 3 2006, 1:48PM

I know Beenie Man personally and we have been great friends for 12 years. The Media got him and Banton mixed together. I know that he is not a homophobe but Banton has mental problems and I wish him well. NOt everyone is going to like me for who I am, I could say F*** em but i'd rather say GOD BLESS THEM ALL!

The Empress
October 3 2006, 11:19PM

JD, the only difference in Buju and the rappers like Nas and JayZ is that the reappers don't talk about killing women. You've never heard that coming out of any rappers' mouths. And yes, someone has stood up to this rapping as well. Maybe you're not a Tupac or an Eminem fan. A black female actually tried to stop Tupac's performances and he addressed this in several of his songs. As well as Eminem. Just because you don't know of anyone that tried to shut rappers down doesn't mean no one tried:-)

Tasha
October 4 2006, 2:55PM

Jamaicans society is largely Christian. Due to their religious beliefs most Jamaicans like most people of non-western cultures strongly disagree with homosexuality but they do not react violently towards gays. Many dancehall artists like most Jamaicans think that homosexuality is wrong, however they do not advocate for the actual killing of homosexuals nor do they incite violence against them. These accusations are based on a misinterpretation of dancehall lyrics and are not based on the facts.

When the lyrics of many Jamaican dancehall songs are translated into other languages they appear extremely violent. The literal meanings of these songs are in fact violent. However, these lyrics are not meant to be taken literally.

Dancehall artists discuss a number of issues with violent terms making reference to a "lyrical gun" as explained by an expert on the subject Dr. Carolyn Cooper a professor at the University of the West Indies. Artists discuss issues from sex to lyrical competitions violently. They ta

theeunuch
October 4 2006, 10:10PM

Tasha. Save your explaination, honey. This man has admitted to bashing gay people years ago and says he does not "tolerate" them now. Assuming nothing is lost in the trranslation of his lyrics, why doesn't he sing about universal love or something. Don't defend this hateful man.

free buju
November 2 2006, 4:35AM

i was doing some research on buju and came across of this stinking webiste... it is easier for you to attack a man and sabotage his shows than attacking a whole country: in Jamaica, homosexuality is against the law. So go now and attack Jamaica instead and low buju. This man makes donation to the poors and do good for a lot of people who letterally depend on him for their survival... Wonder who are the real haters...

China Banton
December 20 2006, 11:28PM

"BOOM BYE BYE INNA BATTY BWOY HEAD
RUDEBWOY NO PROMOTE NUH BATTYMAN DEM A FE DEAD"

FUCK GAYS
FUCK LESBIANS
YOU ARE THE FUCKIN HATERS AND HYPOCRITES SAYIN SHIT LIKE IF WE HAVE TO AGREE WITH HOMOSSEXUALITY LIKE IF BEING GAY OR LESBIAN IS PRETTY AND ITS ALL RIGHT WE DONTA GREE WITH THAT WE ARE NOTE LIKE YOU GAY ASS MOTHEFUCKERS SO IF U HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST AGAINST BUJU WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST AGAINST YOU!
"WRLD INNA TROUBLE WHEN CHINA BANTON A COME
ME A SHOOT EM WITH ME BIG UN BATTY BOY A RUN BUT GET SHOT IN THE BACK!"

MEMBA WHAT CAPLETON SAID
YOU DONT LIKE US, WE DONT LIKE YOU

FUCK GAYS, FUCK LESBIANS, BURN EM ALL!

Chris Jolley
January 22 2007, 1:09PM

HE DID NOT SAY "FUCK YOU" TO THE GAYS.

He said fuck you to the people who don't know anything about him or his music or his culture that are protesting his shows in BANDWAGON fashion.

The media (EXAMPLE: THIS ARTICLE) are whipping this into a frenzy by having headlines like "BUJU TO GAYS: FUCK YOU". HE DID NOT DIRECT THAT TOWARDS ALL GAYS.

Whoever wrote that headline generalised gays into one big group of people who are all the same. Something Buju did not do.

leanne
April 10 2007, 1:07PM

hi i dont think there is any thing wrong everyone has a right to there own oppinion