Buju Banton to Be Prosecuted In Tampa On Drug Charges

Grammy-nominated reggae artist Buju Banton sits in a Miami federal prison opting to waive his rights for bail after facing charges stemming from a December 10th drug bust.

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie in Kingston, Jamaica, was arrested in his Tamarac, Fla., home allegedly trying to purchase more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from undercover officers. Banton plead not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute cocaine. By not seeking bail, he staves off deportation. Banton is being transferred to Tampa where he will be prosecuted.

Dancehall reggae artist Red Rat, who collaborated with Banton on the 1997 song “Love Dem Bad,” told The Miami Herald he believes his friend is being set up.

“We don't know Buju as that type of person. We know Buju as the revolutionary that he is, the one who sings about love and uplifting yourself as a people in the dancehall reggae world. Yeah he did 'Boom Bye Bye,' but that was a young Buju."

“Boom Bye Bye,” the controversial 1992 song Banton wrote when he was 15 in response to a man/boy rape case in Jamaica and sang prominently in clubs for several years, contains violent homophobic lyrics suggesting the pouring of acid on homosexuals and shooting them “like an old tire wheel.”

The Stop Murder Music Campaign was initiated by gay rights activist Peter Tatchell in response to Jamaican musicians, reggae and dancehall artists who called for violence against homosexuals. Created after “Boom Bye Bye” was released, the campaign accuses Banton, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Capleton, T.O.K. and others of promoting violence against the LGBT community through their music.

As the campaign grew and gathered worldwide support, The Reggae Compassionate Act was created in 2007. Artists who signed the Act pledged not sing lyrics or make public statements in Jamaica, or anywhere else in the world, that incite prejudice, hatred or violence against lesbian and gay people.

“By signing The Reggae Compassionate Act, they are stating that, in the future, they will not release new homophobic songs or authorize the re-release of previous homophobic songs,” Tatchell told Jamaican News.

Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton signed the Act while Elephant Man, T.O.K., Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton were among the artists who did not.

“The campaign against them continues,” Tatchell said. “These singers have incited the murder of lesbians and gays. They should not be rewarded with concerts or sponsorship deals.

“We call on all people of good conscience to boycott these promoters of hatred and violence; and to campaign against them with the same determination that they would campaign against racists and anti-Semites. These unrepentant homophobic performers are the moral equivalent of neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.”

These views were echoed by Dennis Carney, of the Black Gay Mens Advisory Group (BGMAG) in London and Gareth Wiliams, co-chair of the Jamaican gay human rights group, J-Flag.

Jamaica is well-known for fostering a homophobic environment and upholds the anti-buggery law as many islands in the Caribbean consider this a criminal act. As recent as March 2009 parliament member Ernest Smith decreed punishment charges were not stiff enough and that homosexuals were "abusive and violent.”

Banton has expressed his wishes to move forward and distance himself from his 17-year-old song and the hostility that follows. But controversy ensues. In 2004, Banton was acquitted on charges he participated in the beating of six gay men by a gang in Jamaica. In 2007 Banton can be seen singing “Boom Bye Bye” in Jamaica and is quoted yelling "There is no end to the war between me and faggots."

An outpouring of protests last fall caused AEG and Live Nation to cancel a string of dates for Banton. The loss of revenue was staggering. A press statement released by L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said: "I hope this victory sends a deafeningly loud message to other promoters and concert venues that singers who glorify violence against LGBT people, or any group of people, should never be welcomed. It shouldn't be necessary for us to pressure promoters to do the right thing; people like Banton should never have been booked in the first place."

Banton is a four-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter who, according to Tracii McGregor, president of Banton's Gargamel label, has focused his lyrical talents condemning gun violence, brought attention to genocide in Sudan, and has been involved with US-based nonprofits working on behalf of underprivileged youth in Jamaica.

In October 2009 Banton had his first meeting with representatives of the gay community. Hours before a scheduled performance at the Rockit Room in San Francisco, Banton met with Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Supervisor Eric Mar, Equality California's Andrea Shorter, LGBT Community Center Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe, and gay activist and blogger Michael Petrelis.

However, a peaceful demonstration protesting his show was not to be had. According to the club’s booking manager, Benjamin Thompson, a bomb threat was received. Angry protester and Banton fans clashed in a battle of accusations of racism and homophobia.

"The meeting was a first step, but he has a lot to consider and to think about," Dufty told The Bay Area Reporter.

Later that same month, Banton performed in downtown Miami for a Halloween concert which has locals screaming conspiracy and view his arrest as an assault on reggae music.

Winston Barnes, host of a Jamaican radio talk show for WAVS (1170-AM), told the Miami Herald, “They are convinced it's directly connected to the concert he had recently. What [the callers] are saying is that he got off that time and they are fixing him now. It is one big mess."

GLAAD increased its protest after it was announced Banton’s latest album, Rasta Got Soul, had been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Reggae Album category.

The Grammy Awards take place in Los Angeles on Jan. 31. It is unlikely Banton will attend the awards ceremony.