Buju Banton and Bounty Killer performed at annual Reggae Carifest show in New York despite numerous protests by GLAAD and and also Peter Tatchell's Outrage!. The performance from Buju was a bit subdued, however Bounty Killer was more vocal concerning the protests.
Reports in the New York Times yesterday suggested that apart from a small crowd turnout, it was a case of 'better later than never' for the main acts.The story in the New York Times said, 'after all that buildup Saturday's concert was pretty much a bust. The giant field was mainly empty, despite a few thousand people crowded near the stage. And though the concert was scheduled to start at 2 p.m., the main acts didn't take the stage until nearly 9 p.m.'
On Friday, the Associated Press carried an article detailing the plans of the gay and lesbian group to mount protests at the concert held on Saturday. AP reported that hip-hop radio station Power 105.1 withdrew its sponsorship of the event, but would not specify a reason.
But, according to the article in the New York Times, the concert went off as planned with performances by Mavado and Ninja Man, along with Buju and Bounty who were the target of the gay protesters.
"Buju Banton's set was surprisingly erratic," details the newspaper. "He has one of the best song catalogues in dancehall reggae history, but on Saturday he used his roaring voice sparingly, letting the backup singers deliver many of the melodies. He talked about peace and black unity, scarcely acknowledging the protesters, and he didn't sing Boom Bye Bye."
However, according to the article, Bounty Killer was less conciliatory.
"Bounty Killer took the opposite tack. Using the protesters as a foil, he portrayed himself as a conquering antihero. He vowed not to be silenced, gruffly affirming his own heterosexuality."
The performances came after the artistes apparently signed a 'code of conduct' agreeing to refrain from performing anti-gay lyrics at the promoter's request.
"This is a city that values the free speech of all artistes, but we also are a city that does not accept intolerance. We are glad that the artistes have agreed to refrain from hateful messages," the department said in a statement to the Associated Press on Friday.
Claims by Peter Thatchell of gay and lesbian group Outrage! that Banton and other reggae artistes Capleton and Beenie Man have signed a similiar code denouncing anti-gay lyrics have been met with denial by the artistes and their management in Jamaica.
However, this concert stands out among many that have either been cancelled or marred by protesters.
A concert last summer at Webster Hall was cancelled after a similar uproar over performers Beenie Man and T.O.K. Also last summer, British concerts featuring Banton and Beenie Man were cancelled after activists said the artistes refused to stop using anti-gay lyrics.
Reggae Carifest first launched in 1998 at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens and has been held at Keyspan Park, Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium and, most recently, Randall's Island. Promoters call the show an "explosion of West Indian exhibitionism."
