Gay Bashing Is Cute When It's Done In Patois

This guy, Buju Banton, is going to stand up on the Neumo's stage on Wednesday and play a song called "Boom Bye Bye." "Boom Bye Bye," in the context of the song, is meant to convey the fact that Buju has just shot a fag in the head and is bidding him adieu. It seems like an odd booking choice for Neumo's, because the club is located in the heart of Capitol Hill - a mere block from the Wild Rose, which just a post or so ago was credited for helping make Seattle one of the most lesbian-friendly cities in the world - and this is the year 2006, although the song is from way back in the year 1992, when apparently shooting fags was an ok thing to talk about in a pop song. If you happen to be near Neumo's on Wednesday when people are going in or coming out, remember they're there to hear lyrics like the ones below, and maybe you should say to them, hey, shooting gays in the head is stupid.

(Two man) A hug up on an kiss up on
An lay down inna bed
Hug up on another
Anna rub dung leg
Send fi di matic an
Di Uzi instead
Shoot di batty boy come if we shot dem--
Dem don't want Jackie
Give dem Paul instead
Don't want di poom poom
Between Patsy leg
All dem want
Is the body from Fred
But dis is Buju Banton
Me say

(Me say) Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead

Caw woman is the prettiest thing
God ever put pon di land
Put pon di land (Pu-pu-put pon di land)
But some man a turn around
Where dem get dat from
Peter is not for Janet
Peter is for John
Suzette is not for Paul
Suzette is for Ann
Here come di DJ name Buju Banton (Come fi)
Give di massive
Satisfaction
Happy how yuh lovin (Ju fi)

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dan in Arts & Events on September 25, 2006 1:23 PM

Comments [rss]

Dan

Neumos has cancelled this show, if you haven't read elsewhere. Personally, getting the show cancelled wasn't my motivation for writing this post in the first place. I wish it had gone down with no audience, but maybe that was too much to ask.

Courtney

Ever the haven for shitstorms, there's a great one underway over at the Slog about this: http://www.thestranger.com/blog/2006/09/buju_bantons_seattle.php.

I'm on the fence on this one--did the Stranger really call for a boycott? Could they possibly have "caused" Neumo's to cancel this show? Not quite: http://www.thestranger.com/blog/2006/09/um_kerri_harrop.php

And yet, it is a bit of a slippery slope argument the Stranger was making, effectively (as many of the commenters aim to point out), and is Neumo's really going to be able to avoid ever booking anyone who has homophobic/racist/asshole tendencies? I do believe the Neumo's folks mean well and want to do this, I just think they're now finding out how complicated that could get...

Dan

Yeah, and when they talk specifically about shooting a minority in the head we make them go on Oprah or do duets with Elton John at awards shows and all is forgiven. I haven't seen Buju and Elton John embracing on stage. To date.

Seth

Aren't there about a bajillion hip-hop artists that talk about shooting people in the head?

BR

WORD Dan!

samantha

Evidently, he also still performs the song: http://jasmynecannick.typepad.com/jasmynecannickcom/2006/09/buju_banton_sti.html

Tiffany

What makes you think he apologized, Dan? The Wikipedia article says that not only did he not apologize for it, he still stands by it based upon his religion.

Dan

No, but they're supporting someone who has condoned the killing of gays in the past. And, alright, I'm realizing that this song was written a long time ago and that he's apologized for it, but he still wrote it and performed it. Does that mistake have to follow him around for his whole life? Well, yeah, maybe it does.

Audrey

Yes, I do believe that's how it works, Corey.

Corey

Nice broad brush stroke you are painting there. So anyone that attends this event must condone the killing of gays? Nice! Since they listen to reggae they must all smoke pot too right?