Gay hate singer calls GLAAD protests “stupid”
Reggae star Buju Banton has shown his frustration at activists protesting his homophobic lyrics after a New York radio last week announced it would not broadcast a reggae concert as planned.
The decision came after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) called on Power 105, a hip-hop station, to cancel coverage of Saturday’s Reggae Carifest because homophobic performers Banton and Bounty Killer were to perform.
The station, owned by media conglomerate Clear Channel, came under intense pressure to pull out of sponsoring the event.
Banton told local news site NY1 he had a low opinion of the gay protests.
“I would say to them they are ignorant, they are stupid, even though they proclaim to be intelligent,” he said.
Organisers claimed that Banton and others had signed a code of conduct prior appearing in which he promised not to use gay-hate lyrics at the concert.
Banton’s notorious 1990s hit Boom Bye Bye appears to incite the burning, shooting in the head and pouring acid over the faces of gay people.
In July he signed up to the Reggae Compassionate Act, promising not to perform songs that advocate homophobia, in a deal brokered by and Stop Murder Music activists.
He later denied that he had made any such commitment.
The Stop Murder Music campaign spearheaded by UK gay activist group OutRage! has brought about the cancellation of hundreds of concerts and sponsorship deals, causing income losses estimated in excess of $5m (£2.5m).
