ANTI-GAY SINGER’S CONCERTS CANCELLED

Promoters have cancelled concerts by homophobic Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton following pressure from gay rights groups.

The concerts were planned to take place in seven cities around the US in October and were being organised by AEG Live and Live Nation.

Last week, Michael Roth, vice president of communications for AEG said in a statement:

“We are aware of the concerns that were brought to our attention this week with regards to Buju Banton’s October appearance. We are reaching out to the artist, artist management and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center to satisfactorily resolve the issues that have been presented.”

Now it’s been announced that the concerts have been cancelled.

Banton, who was acquitted of assaulting a group of gay men in Kingston in 2006, has become known for his anti-gay song lyrics which advocate torture and violence against gay men.

In 1988’s Boom, Bye Bye, Banton sings, “If a guy comes near me, then his skin must peel. Burn him up bad like an old tire wheel.”

In 2007 Banton signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, championed by UK gay rights activists Peter Tatchell, in which he committed himself to no longer record or sing anti-gay lyrics. Later that year, he denied having signed the agreement.