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Beenie Man's reported apology to the world hit Jamaica like a scud missile, leaving silent tongues in the deejay community.

By Germaine Smith

It sent ripples of anger, shock, and even amusement through the public domain on Tuesday, but at the same time, it has cast a thick blanket of silence over the deejay community.

Late Tuesday evening, a release was issued on Beenie Man's behalf which stated that he was sorry for any lyrics and/or recordings he has done which caused "distress and outrage" for any group of people. Portions of the statement were posted on the BBC website as well as other online news services. Subsequently, his management team, Shocking Vibes, told THE STAR that the release was issued by his parent record company Virgin without their knowledge.

At the time of the release, the pro-gay movement Outrage!, which helped to prevent Beenie Man from performing in England recently, flatly rejected the release, claiming that the statement was "vague" and had no "explicit regret". Locally, deejays remained mum yesterday when pressed for comment, and steered clear of any controversy or any views related to the issue.

One of the few who offered comment, Spragga Benz, said that he has to personally hear Beenie Man's apologising before saying anything.

"I can't comment on that right now cause I never heard it out of Beenie Man's mouth," he explained. "I have to hear it from him first before I say anything 'bout it," he continued, speculating that Beenie Man's record company had a heavy hand in preparing the statement.

Representatives of Bounty Killer offered no comment, and so did Elephant Man when contacted as well.

On the female side it was not much different either. Just like the responses from their male counterparts, THE STAR was greeted with a cautious "no comment." Ce'Cile however told THE STAR that it was a good move for Beenie, but chastised the group for not accepting the printed apology.

"I think it is a good move. I don't think as artistes we should be offending people who are buying our music," she noted. "There is nothing wrong with apologising. The people around him are just looking at the bigger picture."

Commenting about the rejection of the apology, she said that it was wrong, but local acts need to wake up.

"If they rejected that apology that is wrong. What they need to do is not attack the artiste, but attack the law that says buggery is illegal... I think it is a wake-up call for all our artistes. We don't have to live on certain topics to the point where it affects our careers. We have other things to sing about."