Singer to discuss ‘kill gays’ lyrics

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A gay councillor has held talks with a Brighton concert venue to find a way to resolve possible confrontation over the visit to the city on 5 July 2006 of Jamaican dancehall singer Buju Banton who is known for his homophobic lyrics.

The artist has so far refused to apologise personally for his notorious 1990s hit ‘Boom Bye Bye’ which appears to incite the burning, shooting in the head of gay people and pouring acid over their faces.

Green Party councillor Simon Williams and the management of Concorde 2 club, Madeira Drive, held an urgent meeting on Thursday 15 June to find a way forward with Buju Banton’s promoters. The police and some gay community activists also attended.

Mr Williams said: “Despite strong disagreements between gay community activists, the venue and Mr Banton’s promoters on the importance of the singer renouncing his homophobic lyrics, we’ve persuaded them to issue a joint statement condemning hate crime and we await this statement.

“We’ve also asked Mr Banton’s promoters to investigate the possibility of a gay journalist interviewing the artist to clarify his position on homophobic lyrics ahead of the Brighton event. They agreed to look into this.

“It will then be up to the LGBT community to interpret these statements and to decide whether any further action is needed.”

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