Activists in America have taken out a full-page ad in newspaper Daily Variety today, protesting the Grammy nomination for homophobic reggae performer, Buju Banton.
Members of GLAAD - the Gay
and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation - and the Los Angeles Gay and
Lesbian Center are using the ad, which comprises of a letter signed by 20 other pro-gay organisations, to have the nomination retracted.
They claim that recognising "an artist
such as Buju Banton, honors his extraordinary hateful work."
Jamaican-born Banton – who had a series of US and UK gigs cancelled last year
– is nominated for a best reggae album at this weekend's awards.
The artist’s hateful back catalogue includes the track ‘Boom Boom Bye’, which incites the torture and murder of gay men.
But, according to reports, the Recording Academy said that the Grammy Awards honor musical
achievement "regardless of politics."
However, Banton still remains in a Florida prison since he was caught in possession of over 11 pounds of cocaine on 10 December, 2009. He is being detained for possession and
intent to distribute the drug, and if convicted could face up to 20
years behind bars.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been a long-term opposer of Banton, helping to galvanize public opinion against hate music.