Murder music is a term coined by British gay rights activist Peter Tatchell in the mid-1990s to describe the homophobic work of certain Jamaican musicians, primarily dancehall and ragga artists who called for and encouraged physical violence and murder of homosexualscitation needed.
The Stop Murder Music campaign is jointly run by Outrage!, the Black Gay Men's Advisory Group, and Jamaican gay rights organization Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-Flag).[1]
The Stop Murder Music Campaign have accused Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, T.O.K., Buju Banton and others of promoting anti-gay violence, harassment, and bigotry through their music.
Tatchell has called for laws against homophobic music and the Campaign participated in protests outside concerts. The Campaign has especially objected to lyrics which seem to support violence, including murder, of gay men. Tatchell's campaign began in the early 1990s when Buju Banton's song "Boom Bye-Bye" was released and has continued to date. Dennis Carney, chair of the Black Gay Men's Advisory Group, argued that the MOBO Awards had a responsibility to exclude anti-gay artists because, "homophobic lyrics in music normalise hatred towards black gay men."[2] Tatchell picketed the MOBO Awards ceremony to protest at their inviting performers of murder music.[3] Tatchell received death threats and was labelled a racist. Tatchell defended himself by pointing to a life's work campaigning against racism, and stated that his statements on Jamaica were in support of terrorised black groups within Jamaica.
Tatchell has also criticised other musicians, including Eminem.[4]
Reggae Compassionate Act
The Reggae Compassionate Act was an agreement signed in 2007 by artists including Beenie Man, Capleton, and Sizzla, so as to stop the Stop Murder Music campaign[5][6].
Criticism
Tatchell and the Stop Murder Music campaign have been criticized by The Black Music Council, formed in response to the campaign by the president of Blacker Dread Records, Blacker Dread, in order, "to protect the rights of the eight artistes placed on the Outrage hit list"[7].
Vice-chairman of the BMC, Doctah X[8], points out that Jamaica does not have strict anti-gay laws such as Saudi-Arabia, which punishes homosexuality with beheading, and said that Jamaica is an easier target for British activists. Dread accuses Tatchell of racism and extremism, saying, “He’ has gone over way over the top. It’s simply racist to put Hitler and Sizzla in the same bracket and just shows how far he is prepared to go.”[7]
Doctah X says that "Tatchell is like a new Tipper Gore," arguing that, "They both pick on black music. They both believe in censorship."[8]
References
- ^ Burrell, Ian (2005). "'Murder music' silenced by a tough operator", Independent, The (London), Mar 7, 2005.
- ^ Graver, Mark (2004). "Why homophobic lyrics in reggae music are a health issue for black gay men", MedicalNewsToday.com. Article Date: 10 Sep 2004 - 9:00 PDT.
- ^ outrage.org.uk
- ^ Tatchell, Peter. "Is Eminem Queer?", PeterTatchell.net.
- ^ Colin (2007). "Reggae Stars Sign On To Cut Out Homophobic Lyrics", NewNowNext, LOGOonline.com. June 13, 2007.
- ^ Andy (2007). "Reggae Stars Renounce Homophobia, Condemn Anti-gay Violence", Towelroad.com. 06/13/2007.
- ^ a b Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter. "Black Music Council Defends DJ’s", The Sunday Gleaner (sosjamaica.org). 13/12/2004.
- ^ a b Archive copy of "Can music incite murder?", The Black Music Council Site at the Internet Archive. Report Date:15 Dec 2004.
See also
External links
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