By JACQUELINE CHARLES AND JAY WEAVER, jcharles@MiamiHerald.com
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing 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 dance-hall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.
As late as September, Banton's local management told The Miami Herald that the criticism of the star was unwarranted because he had stopped singing the song years ago. The song remains a hit among reggae DJs.
Still, such lyrics have made Banton one of the more controversial reggae artists, with angry gay activists this fall forcing the cancellation of a string of concerts by the artists during a U.S. tour that included a Halloween night concert in Miami.
Recently the firestorm ratched up after the Grammys announced that Baton's album Rasta Got Soul, released earlier this year, was up for an award.
Gay Men of African Descent and the National Black Justice Coalition joined with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a petition drive protesting the nomination.
Good riddance to bad trash. Enjoy prison, scumbag.
Posted by: Judas Peckerwood | December 13, 2009 at 01:27 AM
buju is getting his just dues, I never liked this idiot, he thought it was all about him, and now i would give all to be in his mind as the turmoil and reality of career crash sets in..LOL, I am an atheist but this is karma well deserved and worked for by this excuse for a human being, i wish him the worst and hope he gets the maximum sanction possible, no mercy for this hater and illiterate gaybasher. do not hesitate to throw him under the truck.
Posted by: werren wynter | December 13, 2009 at 12:35 PM
OMG! My hero is going in with the butt-pluggers! I hope they'll be gentle with his ass, after he dissed them for so long...
Posted by: Who's who Banton | December 13, 2009 at 12:38 PM
The Grammys are so last century. Look at all the great artists that they've ignored over the decades and the one hit wonders they've awarded, but the real issue, Buju boy is the best news I've read about this lying, hating sack ever. Let's hope they can keep him in Florida for a very long time.
Posted by: planesdrifter | December 13, 2009 at 03:58 PM
well he should have sang 'boom bye bye' in ignorant peoples head and you all would still fit in..LOL.. There is so much hyprocrisy about this artiste that was 15 at the time he wrote this song.. since children live what they learn and learn what they live it is to be understood that Jamaica was and still is a very homophobic country!!!! Buggary is legally against the law!!!
Posted by: jendayi | December 13, 2009 at 06:09 PM
"My effots here are not to crossover but to go through boundaries and borders freely and to be heard by all people who are citizens of the free loving earth," reasons Mr. Banton. "Like the title, I'm an unchained spirit, a free spirit and my intention is to make sure this one goes out across the world to satisfy the musical and spiritual hunger of the nation, to bring us closer today than yesterday to our freedom and our need to come together to solidify the human race." Buju Banton
Posted by: jendayi | December 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Let's see how your hateful, homophobic "unchained spirit" hero enjoys lockdown.
Posted by: Judas Peckerwood | December 13, 2009 at 08:02 PM
throw away the key when his ass is kicked by the door slamming him in his cage where this felonious monster deserves to be.
Posted by: ewe | December 13, 2009 at 10:20 PM
all u gay people leave him alone you are an abomination not me said it it's the bible. he has been set up because he not afraid to speak what is right what he belive in. I am not saying that gays should be killed but what you are doing in wrong and you need to change you're lifestyle, give you're life to the lord he will forgive you once you decide to change
Posted by: phil thompson | December 14, 2009 at 04:50 AM
He was only 15 y-o when he recorded Boom Bye Bye, yet people still hold it against him. I suppose he should have been tried as an adult and executed too.
Posted by: MissTee | December 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM