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Majestic Cancels Buju Banton Concert
Updated: Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009, 6:55 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009, 6:55 PM EDT
By BILL GALLAGHER
DETROIT (WJBK) - He's a controversial musician. Many say he's known for singing lyrics with a hate-filled message. The reggae artist was hoping to bring his concert and anti-gay lyrics to the Majestic Theater in Detroit, but now that's not going to happen.
Reggae singer Buju Banton was slated to perform Wednesday night at the Majestic Theater. However, the lyrics of the Jamaican artist's song "Boom Bye Bye" actually encourage the torture and murder of gay men.
Buju's scheduled appearance outraged gay advocacy groups.
"This isn't just about saying gay's are bad. This is advocating for their murder and to murder them in really painful ways, like pouring acid on them. So, I mean, it's just really heinous," said Kathleen LaTosch, chief administrative officer of Affirmations.
A co-owner of the Majestic says he was unaware of Buju's anti-gay work.
"We did not know the content of his lyrics. Knowing this, we would never have booked him. We don't condone violence, and we don't preach violence," said David Zainea, co-owner of the Majestic Theater Center.
However, the contract with Banton was already signed.
"He was in a tough spot. I mean, he had this contract. He was going to forfeit the contract price. Times are tight... We felt for him, but at the same time, like I said, this artist was particularly heinous. Any support for this artist was not okay," LaTosch said.
The protest over Banton's planned performance at the Majestic turned into a groundswell of opposition.
"We put out an e-mail blast and Triangle Foundation put out an e-mail blast and Transgender Detroit getting people to call him and say this isn't okay. Cancel the concert. And they did," said LaTosch.
"The gay community came out and... I listened to them, and I said, hey, this is the right thing to do. So, we canceled the show," Zainea said.
The groups that pressured to cancel the Banton performance and now working to help the Majestic.
"We're really pleased with his decision to do this. So, all three organizations are coming together to pull together performers to do a benefit concert for Majestic Theater on Wednesday, September 30th," LaTosch said.
The alternative concert will be at 8:00 p.m. at the Magic Stick next to the Majestic.
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Updated: Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009, 6:55 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009, 6:55 PM EDT
By BILL GALLAGHER
DETROIT (WJBK) - He's a controversial musician. Many say he's known for singing lyrics with a hate-filled message. The reggae artist was hoping to bring his concert and anti-gay lyrics to the Majestic Theater in Detroit, but now that's not going to happen.
Reggae singer Buju Banton was slated to perform Wednesday night at the Majestic Theater. However, the lyrics of the Jamaican artist's song "Boom Bye Bye" actually encourage the torture and murder of gay men.
Buju's scheduled appearance outraged gay advocacy groups.
"This isn't just about saying gay's are bad. This is advocating for their murder and to murder them in really painful ways, like pouring acid on them. So, I mean, it's just really heinous," said Kathleen LaTosch, chief administrative officer of Affirmations.
A co-owner of the Majestic says he was unaware of Buju's anti-gay work.
"We did not know the content of his lyrics. Knowing this, we would never have booked him. We don't condone violence, and we don't preach violence," said David Zainea, co-owner of the Majestic Theater Center.
However, the contract with Banton was already signed.
"He was in a tough spot. I mean, he had this contract. He was going to forfeit the contract price. Times are tight... We felt for him, but at the same time, like I said, this artist was particularly heinous. Any support for this artist was not okay," LaTosch said.
The protest over Banton's planned performance at the Majestic turned into a groundswell of opposition.
"We put out an e-mail blast and Triangle Foundation put out an e-mail blast and Transgender Detroit getting people to call him and say this isn't okay. Cancel the concert. And they did," said LaTosch.
"The gay community came out and... I listened to them, and I said, hey, this is the right thing to do. So, we canceled the show," Zainea said.
The groups that pressured to cancel the Banton performance and now working to help the Majestic.
"We're really pleased with his decision to do this. So, all three organizations are coming together to pull together performers to do a benefit concert for Majestic Theater on Wednesday, September 30th," LaTosch said.
The alternative concert will be at 8:00 p.m. at the Magic Stick next to the Majestic.
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