I’ve always been intrigued by anti-artist and the need to disseminate messages of hate. In late August, I posted about Live Nation and AEG’s concert cancellation of Jamaican reggae artist, Buju Banton. Since then, Banton continues to gain much attention from the LGBT community.
Last week, two black LGBT organizations joined forces with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to protest the singer’s Grammy nomination. The National Black Justice Coalition and Gay Men of African Descent have developed a petition to against Banton’s nomination for Best Reggae Album.
The decision by GLAAD and its partners to petition Banton’s Grammy nod has created a spectrum of opinions even within the LGBT community. Some believe his album should be judged on merit alone, rather than the language it may or may not convey. Others state this nomination draws attention to his anti-gay antics.
"We’re shocked that Buju Banton, a singer with a long record of performing a song that glorifies the murder of gay people, would be honored with a Grammy nomination, regardless of the artistic merit of any of his work," said Jim Key, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center’s Chief Public Affairs Officer in an EDGE interview. Banton isn’t the first to be protested by GLAAD, and he likely won’t be the last.
On a side note, the AP reported that Banton was arrested this weekend on cocaine charges in Florida.
Tell us what you think about homophobic lyrics and Banton’s Grammy nomination.
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