REGGAE star Buju Banton faced angry protests from gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
By Chris PragnellBanton - widely accused of penning gay-hate lyrics - kicked off his British tour at Elephant & Castle's Coronet on Sunday.
South Londoner Tatchell led members of gay activist group Outrage! in a protest outside the venue.
He claims the group received homo-phobic taunts from some of Banton's fans during the demonstration.
Police officers arrested one concert-goer outside the venue but said the demonstration passed off peacefully.
Tatchell accuses the Jamaican star of inciting homophobia with songs such as Boom Bye Bye.
In the track, Banton writes: "Batty boy get up an run, at gunshot me head back."
The campaigner, famous for performing a "citizen's arrest" on Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, is convinced the song is a hateful attack on the gay community.
He said: "The song incites execution-style killing of gay and lesbian people.
"Banton urges listeners to shoot queers in the head, pour acid over them, set them alight, and burn them like car tyres.
"The attitude of a section of the crowd was strong evidence of links between Banton's music and violent aggression towards gay people."
Tatchell had initially called for the gig to be cancelled, and vowed to demonstrate should the Coronet go ahead.
But the Coronet did not cancel the gig, saying Banton would not be performing Boom Bye Bye at the gig.
A spokesman for the Coronet said: "Mr Tatchell is very welcome to make his protest outside. That is his democratic right."
He added Banton had apologised for the song, which he wrote as a teenager.
Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll, who is investigating Tatchell's allegations against Banton, had been aware the campaigner planned to demonstrate on Sunday.
Southwark borough commander Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas said afterwards: "There was one arrest made. It was someone who was going to the concert. Otherwise, the demonstration was very peaceful."
