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Anger as anti-gay reggae singer is granted UK visa

THE Home Secretary was criticised today for granting a visa to a controversial Jamaican reggae singer, allowing him to perform in London this weekend.

Jacqui Smith was accused by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of “rewarding a maladjusted thug” after the Home Office gave a work permit to dancehall artist Bounty Killer (Rodney Pryce).
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Jamaican star Capleton’s Basel concert cancelled after Swiss gay groups protest
A reggae star who has gone back on a promise not to perform songs encouraging violence against lesbian and gay people has had a concert in Switzerland cancelled.

The performance by Capleton in Basel was due to take place on November 6th but was pulled by the organisers, according to local LGBT rights group Homosexuelle Arbeitsgruppen Basel (HABS).

Check the full story HERE.

Gangster lyrics in dance hall are at an all time explicit high. In the 90’s the Cobra, Bounty’s and Beenie’s of the day spit hardcore lyrics. But today’s Mavado’s, Kartel’s and Busy Signal’s have taken the reality of ghetto life to a new level. Is it the cause for violence or the result..? The Jamaican Gleaner takes the issue to task….

As Jamaica continues to grapple with the massive crime problem, more fingers are pointing at DJs’ ‘gangsta’ lyrics as one of the causes of the violence.

With lyrics which boast of evil intent and murderous lifestyle, the DJs, who are heroes to many young men, move violence to an acceptable level and a mark of manhood.
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Busy recently sat down with Parlour Magazine to talk about his new album.

The first time I heard Busy Signal’s “Tic Toc,” set to a mash-up of deep house and hipster hop with a tinge of old school Miami freestyle beats (courtesy of producer Sean “SSMG” Scott) I lost my shit. Busy’s throaty vocals commanding me to “wine up, show me what you have in you,” and the signature “hey-hey!” in a dancehall beat behind a high-pitched female chanting “tic tic tic tic toc…toc toc toc toc tic” had me jumping up and down in my living room. I thought, if this is where dancehall is going, I’m quitting my job, packing up my belongings and going along for the ride. I chatted with Busy about dancehall’s new era and why his music is so fresh. Peep what the young MC had to say about the state of Jamaica and why he can’t leave the ladies alone after the jump.

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I hate to know that people use music to incite negativity. To me, music should be something to soothe the mind and uplift the soul…”

Beres Hammond is a pretty low key guy. In fact, up until this point, I’d been given the impression that the reggae veteran didn’t do interviews.

“No man,” laughed Hammond. “Ah lie dem a tell!”

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