Reggae singer Buju Banton has advocated violence against gay people throughout his career.
In a popular song released in 1988 entitled “Boom Bye Bye,” Banton repeats the anti-gay slurs, “batty bwoy” and “batty man,” which are equivalent to the slur “fa**ot,” and says that they “have to die” and he will “shoot them in the head” or “burn them.” He continues to sing this song at his concerts today.
In October 2009 Banton was quoted in news reports as saying “This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs ‘there is no end to the war between me and f—-t’ and it’s clear.”
The Associated Press has reported that the song “Batty Rider” from Banton’s 1993 record “Mr. Mention” glorifies the shooting of gay men.
By nominating Banton for a prestigious Grammy Award the Recording Academy is turning a blind eye to Banton’s support of deadly violence against gay people.
Call to Action
- Join GLAAD in Calling on the Recording Academy to Denounce Music that Promotes Murder – January 29, 2009
Buju Banton Ad in Variety Magazine
- Download a PDF of the coalition advertisement “Promoting Murder is not a ‘Cultural Perspective'”
Sign the Online Petition
- Sign the online petition protesting Buju Banton’s nomination.
glaadBLOG Updates
- GLAAD, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Urge Recording Academy to Speak Out Against Artists and Lyrics that Promote Violence
– January 29, 2009 - The New York City Anti-Violence Project Joins GLAAD in Protest of Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 22, 2009 - Award Winning Jamaican Writer and Performance Artist Staceyann Chin Speaks Out About Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 14, 2009 - Update: Buju Banton Arrested in Florida
– December 14, 2009 - Act Now: Protest Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 9, 2009
GLAAD Media Releases
- Promoting Murder is not a “Cultural Perspective” Says Coalition Calling for Action During Grammy Telecast
– January 28, 2009 - Award Winning Openly Gay Jamaican Writer and Performance Artist Staceyann Chin Calls for Greater Education and Understanding in the Wake of Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 14, 2009 - African-American LGBT Organizations Join GLAAD in Protest of Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 11, 2009 - GLAAD Responds to Recording Academy Statement on Buju Banton’s Grammy Nomination
– December 9, 2009 - GLAAD Launches Online Petition for Recording Academy to Reject Buju Banton for a Grammy
– December 8, 2009