Anti-Gay Singer Buju Banton Jailed on Drug Conspiracy Charges

Anti-gay "murder music" singer Buju Banton has been jailed in Miami on federal drug conspiracy charges:

"Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine. Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac. While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Banton as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica's poor masses, critics say he's a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals. His song 'Boom Bye Bye', a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire."

In recent years, the singer's North American and European tour dates have routinely met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations. In October, San Francisco-based LGBT activists met with Banton and afterwards the reggae singer's anti-gay rhetoric appeared even more hardened: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'There is no end to the war between me and faggot'. The same night after I met with them [gay activists], they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me? I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."

Jamaican news coverage of Buju Banton's arrest has, predictably, attempted to link his legal problems to his anti-gay views.

Banton's recent Grammy nomination has been met with outrage. GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) have spearheaded an online petition drive against The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The petition is HERE.

Comments

[Gre]

I guess that's an end to the campaign to force concert promoters to cancel Buju Banton's concerts!

[Dallas Cowboy]

And it couldn't have happened to a better guy....

[D. Askew]

This is the same SOB who said "Me always at war with faggot". So of course he is going to blame his arrest on some kind of gay conspiracy. And thanks for pointing that out.

[Raheem]

His US concert wasn't making any money, he had to do something to make some coin. Oh and 5 KILOS? Dayumn!!!

[Sasha Not So Fierce]

Awww, poor baby. Hopefully in prison you can get some of that buttsex and batty boy lovin' you that you are so obsessed with.

[Anderson]

Ain't karma a beoytch?

[Brand Nubian]

@ Sasha and Anderson:

My thoughts exactly. Let's see how much fun he has in prison lolz I can only hope and pray he is made somebody's bytch in more ways than one

[alicia banks]

it is always the worst sinners who are those doing the worst judging of gays

good riddance caged ragamuffin!!!!

alicia banks
eloquent fury

[ff]

how sad for him. i do hope he gets a nice cellmate

[Juno]

Hope he rots in jail.

[SouLKid]

Anyone read that Jamaican news article? He apparently said he'd never sell himself out by endorsing homosexuality because its against his religion. I guess that means doing drugs or selling them is ok with his religion.SMH!

The hypocrisy of these people in unfreakinbelievable.

[Dante]

I am so sick of these hypocritical homophobic jerk chicken rastas. I am so surprised the JA track team blog queens haven't descended here yet, saying the Jamaican media's homophobia has nothing to do with the Glorious Track Team.

I hope Buju chokes on a big phat dick AND some jerk chicken bones!

[Gramblling State]

good, i'm glad he is in jail, the hypocritical SOB that is where he belongs

[CA]

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

F you, you homophobic punk.
Five kilos of coke...enjoy being a prison bytch.

[Face and Waist]

Don't drop the soap, Miss Buju.

[Harper]

What goes around comes around TWICE AS HARD! He is what he is and I hope he gets what he deserves.

[Jim]

Alicia Banks got it right: “it is always the worst sinners who are those doing the worst judging of gays.”

There was a time when one could be homophobic by default, without ever giving the subject of gay people any thought. Those times are over. Everyone nowadays is confronted with the “gay problem,” and everyone makes a choice.

The only people who choose homophobia are people with some deep corruption to hide. When someone says something like, “I just disagree with the lifestyle,” that person is dangerous. He or she is hiding corruption.

Maybe he is cheating on his taxes, or commiting adultery, or his business is fraudulent, or he is selling something that he knows to be harmful to others—like Buju here.

Where there is homophobia, there is corruption. Always.

[GRANT]

Unfortunately the cruel reality if Buju Banton were involved in prison rape, it would mostly likely be as offender, not a victim. Prison rape is justified by power and homophobia ... as in , I'll show that punk who is the man....

I'm not one to wish violence on anyone but I would just hope and pray someone clocks his face and nose Berlusconi style

[Baltimore Femme]

Don't want him raped in prison.
Nope, I just hope he never gets out. Rots UNDER the jail. He has caused so much pain and hurt for gays in Jamaica and around the Caribbean and the world.

[Jamal]

Its funny how these reggae singers are always talking about being a positive influence for kids but beat their women like dogs,sell and encourage drug use,and allow GROWN women to dance with lil boys but since its a woman they make it acceptable.That child should be learning something not how to be a whore and smoke ganja. GOD FORBID anyone be gay and try to live in peace.

[Jamal]

Its funny how these reggae singers are always talking about being a positive influence for kids but beat their women like dogs,sell and encourage drug use,and allow GROWN women to dance with lil boys but since its a woman they make it acceptable.That child should be learning something not how to be a wh0re and smoke ganja. GOD FORBID anyone be gay and try to live in peace.

[Derrick from Philly]

Well, I guess it's time for me to gloat about this celebrity catching hell.

As far as prison rape...oh, please. Men like this hypocrite have already experienced the pleasure of "bottoming". THat's why they try to cover up their secret activity. I didn't used to believe it, but now I do: some of the worst homo haters are men who enjoy taking it up the booty. But that secret pleasure makes them doubt their masculinity...but it feels so good. That's why I'm glad that DL guys like Buju don't like "queens"--I aint got to fool with them...unless they get on crack...then they come sniffin' around us queens like hound dogs.

[nathans]

Firstly How Ironic? How perfect Karma has worked out! I want to say God does not like ugly but thats too easy and I dont believe anyway!

Its perfect that Buju should be arrested for trafficking in the USA where he makes most of his money mouthing off against some of its citizens(the gays). Like I have often said he should have stayed in JA and not promote his nonsense abroad.

Dante...you are being so silly. Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean ( and indeed the rest of the world) are not defined solely by homophobia. Therefore I and many of my caribbean brethren will continue to big up Usain Bolt and Jamaican track team ( unless of course I have evidence that they are homophobic and call for my death).

Dont get it twisted!

Im so glad Buju has been arrested! Happy happy joy joy!

[RC]

I'm not glad Buju has been arrested because our legal system has a tendency to reinforce and somtimes exacerbate behavior that is violent, but if he is guilty, maybe he will reflect on the choices that got him in this situation and come out less ignorant.

[No bias Jamaican]

All the advocates of prison rape are right on par with Buju Banton. Remember karma? It could get you in the ass too.