Gay Community 1 Beenie Man 0

[johnny861]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html


MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Dancehall star Beenie Man, who has recorded anti-gay songs in the past, was yanked from a concert associated with the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend after gay groups planned a protest, the network said Wednesday.




MTV pulled the Jamaican singer from the roster Tuesday after South Florida gay activists announced plans to protest Saturday's concert in Miami over some of his past lyrics, including "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays" and "Queers must be killed."

"We don't want anything to overshadow what will be a great weekend of music events for South Floridians," MTV spokeswoman Marnie Black said Wednesday. She declined further comment.

The awards show is Sunday at the bayfront AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, the first time in the glam-filled event's 21-year history that it will take place outside New York and Los Angeles.

Beenie Man has had his concerts canceled in Europe over the last few weeks after angry gay groups protested. Although he has previously defended his lyrics, earlier this month, Beenie Man issued an apology for his previous songs, including "Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man, Queer Man)."

"Certain lyrics and recordings I have made in the past may have caused distress and outrage among people whose identities and lifestyles are different from my own. ... I offer my sincerest apologies to those who might have been offended, threatened or hurt by my songs."

Other stars of dancehall, a sensuous, more contemporary form of reggae, have also recorded anti-gay songs and have been targeted by gay groups because of their lyrics, including Buju Banton.

Beenie Man's manager, Clyde McKenzie, said "in many instances the lyrics of dancehall artists are metaphorical."

"He has made it clear that he doesn't want to incite violence," he said of Beenie Man.

He said he understood MTV's actions.

"If their organization is being pressured they may not want anything to be distracting from their event," he said.

Heddy Pena, executive director of the Miami-based gay-rights group SAVE Dade, said: "We respectfully suggest that he use other metaphors." Her group had been organizing the protest.

"It's disappointing to see artists use their talents as a tool for hatred and bigotry," she said.

Beenie Man told The Miami Herald on Sunday that "I just smile, because I don't know what they're fussing about."

"I'm not here to cuss people. I make music. But at the same time I just want to teach people -- my sons and my daughters -- the right way of life," he said. Beenie Man was not available for comment Wednesday, his publicist said.

Beenie Man, born Anthony Moses Davis, is on a world tour promoting his new album, "Back to Basics." His songs include his recent hit, "Dude," "Girls Dem Sugar" and "Who Am I?" His album "Art and Life" won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2001.

He ends his tour in Miami on November 8.

[Keith P]

they did the same thing to em in london as well
lame

I doubt anyone will be takin up arms after listening to someone say "bun da down da chi chi"
90% of american wouldn't even know what the fuck he's saying nyways
nor would I expect him to express his anti-gay views in America. Or on MTV for that matter

[KING SIZE]

that's fucking gay.

[[aNNa]]

it's a big thing in jamaica. people who admit to being gay in jamaica
are killed almost immediately and no one thinks twice about it.
for jamaicans it is especially taboo and i don't see their mindset changing
anytime soon where this subject is concerned.

[KING SIZE]

Originally Posted by [aNNa]

it's a big thing in jamaica. people who admit to being gay in jamaica
are killed almost immediately and no one thinks twice about it.
for jamaicans it is especially taboo and i don't see their mindset changing
anytime soon where this subject is concerned.

damn.. that's harsh. i had no idea it was like that in jamaica of all places. trust i know jamaica has parts that make oak cliff look like highland park but i didn't know it was that bad for gay people there.

[question]

Oh yeah. There have been several stories on NPR about it. I completely understand where the gay rights activists are coming from in this regard. That is the mindset in Jamaica, and MTV is smart for not wanting to portray that image during their functions.

Originally Posted by silent grooves

damn.. that's harsh. i had no idea it was like that in jamaica of all places. trust i know jamaica has parts that make oak cliff look like highland park but i didn't know it was that bad for gay people there.

[Leo]

Wow, MTV is full of such shit. Bust up Beenie Man, but keep on milking the homophobic tit that is Eminem. 50 Cent has gone on record as saying "I don't really like faggots"...but I'll bet they'll still book him. Every day they air some sort of video (they still do videos, right?) by some mainstream hip hop artist rife with violence and mysogony. MTV on some ill double standard shit.

"Boom, bye bye" and batty MTV dead.

[question]

They always have been. But you know Eminem has more money, and better attorneys.

Originally Posted by Leo

Wow, MTV is full of such shit. Bust up Beenie Man, but keep on milking the homophobic tit that is Eminem. 50 Cent has gone on record as saying "I don't really like faggots"...but I'll bet they'll still book him. Every day they air some sort of video (they still do videos, right?) by some mainstream hip hop artist rife with violence and mysogony. MTV on some ill double standard shit.

"Boom, bye bye" and batty MTV dead.

[[aNNa]]

Originally Posted by silent grooves

damn.. that's harsh. i had no idea it was like that in jamaica of all places. trust i know jamaica has parts that make oak cliff look like highland park but i didn't know it was that bad for gay people there.

yup. that's all i read about in the newspapers in jamaica
or heard on the radio while i was there.. things get violent
over there where this is concerned.. :/

i have to say that not ALL jamaicans think like this
towards gays, however. there are some very open
minded people there. i remember reading a column
in one of their newspapers where people's opinions
were published and i saw writings from many people
that expressed concern for gays rights and they
asked questions about why they must be treated
in such a bad way, etc. etc.

sad... cuz Beenie Man is awesome.

[MysteryMeat]

Originally Posted by silent grooves

damn.. that's harsh. i had no idea it was like that in jamaica of all places. trust i know jamaica has parts that make oak cliff look like highland park but i didn't know it was that bad for gay people there.

Study up on your Dallas crack scene of the 80's -- the hardest of the hardcore behind the push were Jamacan or had deep roots there.

Don't fuck with Jamacans.

[Element4040]

Originally Posted by Leo

Wow, MTV is full of such shit. Bust up Beenie Man, but keep on milking the homophobic tit that is Eminem. 50 Cent has gone on record as saying "I don't really like faggots"...but I'll bet they'll still book him. Every day they air some sort of video (they still do videos, right?) by some mainstream hip hop artist rife with violence and mysogony. MTV on some ill double standard shit.

"Boom, bye bye" and batty MTV dead.

50 Cent's comments came while admitting that his mother was bisexual. Later, he unapologetically explains his words, saying, "It's OK to write that I'm prejudiced. This is as honest as I could possibly be with you. When people become celebrities they change the way they speak. But my conversation with you is exactly the way I would have a conversation on the street. We refer to gay people as f----ts, as h--os. It could be disrespectful, but that's the facts."

I see your point Leo, but I applaud him for speaking his mind in this day and age of Political correctness.