Buju Banton's Grammy nomination angers gay rights groups

Buju Banton's unlikely Grammy nomination for best reggae album might alarm some local music fans who remember the controversy over his most recent American tour. Last summer, gay activist groups successfully derailed many dates on Banton's trek in response to his refusal to disavow lyrics in his 1988 song "Boom Bye Bye" that advocates brutal violence against homosexuals.

Banton was quoted as recently as last year as saying he "saw no end to the war" between himself and gays that he depicts in his lyrics.

Banton is nominated for his 2009 album "Rasta Got Soul," though he's currently in jail in Florida awaiting trial on cocaine-related charges and won't attend Sunday's ceremony at Staples Center.

Gay rights groups, including GLAAD and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, placed an ad in today's Daily Variety calling on the Grammys to denounce homophobia in music and any art "that promotes or celebrates violence against any group of people." In a letter to GLAAD, however, the Recording Academy said that it honors artists "regardless of politics" and that "artists of a variety of political or cultural perspectives have been nominated or featured on the telecast."

-- August Brown

Photo by Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[AnotherJamaican]

These gay organizations need to stop their mob activities of censoring artists. The song was a response to a GAY MALE ADULT RAPING A PRE-TEENAGE BOY IN JAMAICA. I am sure most of you are not far from believing that death is a justifiable consequence for raping kids! Now image yourself as a kid, and another kid in your neighborhood getting raped. How would you feel? Well, Buju had a voice in Jamaica from the age of 11 on the microphone, and it was convenient for him to vocalized what he felt. Buju was 15 when he first sang the song. The other factor, Jamaica is one of the most religious countries, and Buju's views is consistent with the bible. To him that is the highest authority on buggery. That is his religious belief! That is still protected under the constitution the last time I checked! The KKK preach and actually do kill Blacks and Jews, why aren't you protesting them! Buju made the song 20 years ago, and since then he has not advocated violence as a Rastafarian.

[Jean Dolan]

GARGAMEL MUSIC BLASTS BACK!

The Gargamel Music Family finds it appalling that the LA Gay & Lesbian Center and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) would spend tens of thousands of dollars to take out a full page ad in Variety – solely to blast Banton’s well-deserved Grammy nomination for his acclaimed album Rasta Got Soul (Gargamel Music) — when those resources could have been better spent lending a helping hand to our suffering Haitian brothers and sisters... READ THE REST ON THE OFFICIAL BUJU BANTON BLOG!

http://thisisbujubanton.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/gargamel-music-blasts-back/

[Sam Kestu]

And GLAAD and the more than 20 signers of the letter to the Recording Academy said:

"Performers who glorify the murder of gay people through their music aren't reflecting a 'political or cultural perspective,' or 'politics,' they're reflecting their hatred and promoting brutal and illegal violence against a group of innocent people. And to honor an artist such as Buju Banton, honors his extraordinarily hateful work."

GLAAD, GMAD (Gay Men of African Descent), NBJC (National Black Justice Coalition), the New York City Anti-Violence Project, BiNet and many other organizations did a great job with this ad. Anyone who opposes the promotion of hatred and violence should thank GLAAD and all the signers.

[Jon]

I think we need to stand up for all the "sound bwoys," "rude bwoys," and "bad mind people" reggae artists have been threatening to murder for, at least, the past 30 years! This is not simple hyperbole! These are words calling for the deaths of human beings!

[AllTruth1]

Buju Banton is not a cocaine dealer. He is a Rastafarian

musician, prone to smoke ganja [a.k.a. kaya/herb/weed/

marijuana/cannibas, etc.] who was enticed into a

situation where drugs were provided by those seeking to

entrap him. He did not use his wits so, he fell for the

bait, was taped while taking the bait and with the 'recorded

setup', the Gay co-conspirator and US Government caught him

in their trap and had enough to arrest him, place him in

jail awaiting a trial, will bring him to trial and possibly

imprison him for up to 20 years.

The United States of America is another Sodom.

[AllTruth1]

I posted a lengthy comment in reference to the GLAAD letter sent to The Recording Academy, denouncing Buju Banton's nomination and using misinformation to sway others against the Reggae musician. That was over a week ago and my comment still has not been allowed to be posted. So, much for free speech on a blog.

[AllTruth1]

I'll be sure to let the world know that the LA Times censored my speech, by refusing to allow the posting of my comment, pertaining to GLAAD and the lies it told in order to dissuade The Recording Academy from voting for Buju Banton to win the Grammy for album of the year.

Over one week ago, I submitted my comment but it has not been posted. I guess the LA Times is run by Gays.

[Jean Dolan]

Can someone ask this degenerate writer how Banton's Grammy for Rasta Got Soul could be "unlikely" when it is his fourth nod for Best Reggae Album from the Recording Academy?

Do your research LA Times. Stop hating.