I am joining GLAAD's protest against Buju Banton's Grammy nomination and urging Recording Academy members NOT to support him. Honoring a man who continues to advocate killing gay people is absolutely unacceptable.
Reggae singer Buju Banton has advocated violence against gay people throughout his career.
In a popular song released in 1988 entitled "Boom Bye Bye," Banton repeats the anti-gay slurs, "batty bwoy" and "batty man," which are equivalent to the slur "fa**ot," and says that they "have to die" and he will "shoot them in the head" or "burn them." He continues to sing this song at his concerts today.
The Associated Press has reported that the song "Batty Rider" from Banton's 1993 record "Mr. Mention" glorifies the shooting of gay men.
In October 2009 Banton was quoted in news reports as saying "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs 'there is no end to the war between me and f----t' and it's clear."
By nominating Banton for a prestigious Grammy Award the Recording Academy is turning a blind eye to Banton's support of deadly violence against gay people.
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