ttgapers.com

All Buju Banton concerts in his United States tour promoted by AEG Live/Goldenvoice and  Live Nation Inc. has been canceled after mounting pressure from gay rights groups in the United States. Although Buju Banton signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, gay rights groups are adamant that the popular reggae artist not perform.

The cancelled shows included House of Blues concerts for Live Nation in Chicago on October 1, Las Vegas on October 15, Dallas on October 20 and Houston on October 22. AEG Live had him booked at the Nokia Club in Los Angeles on October 14. His Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, CA show on October 10 and Philadelphia Trocadero Theatre gig on September 12 were also axed. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

There is a still a bevy of Buju Banton shows on the books, ones not promoted by AEG Live or Live Nation. He also performed shows earlier in the year in the United States. Buju Banton’s anti-gay lyrics started back in 1992 with his smash hit single “Boom, Bye Bye”.

“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,” stated Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

Jean further commented that, “In his home country of Jamaica, Banton and his fellow performers of murder music, have helped to create and sustain a culture in which violence against LGBT people is not only tolerated, it’s sometimes celebrated. The Center is an ardent supporter of free speech and artistic expression, but we cannot, and will not, tolerate speech in any form that promotes violence against LGBT people.”

Live Nation Inc. has remained tight lipped on the cancellations, referring questions back to their press release where they announced plainly that the concerts by Buju Banton were canceled, and that refunds would be available to ticket holders. 

Buju Banton is not the first artist to be banned at the House of Blues. In 2004, reggae vocalist Capleton was cancelled due to lyrics that promoted violence against gay and lesbians, and in 2005, Sizzla got axed as well.