Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia Essay -- Essays Papers

Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia The world is in anaesthetise/Anytime Buju Banton come/ Batty boy get up and return/ ah gunfire in ah head man/Tell dem crew its want/ Boom bye bye, in a batty boy head, savage boy nah promote no nasty man, them hafi dead. The average member of the reggae dancehall destination knows the message that this song is sending to its listeners. However, without a translation these lyrics do non mean a thing to someone who is not familiar with this socialisation and the vocabulary of dancehall artists. Translated the lyrics read The world is in trouble/When Buju Banton arrives/Faggots have to run/Or get a bullet in the head /Bang-bang, in a faggots head/Homeboys dont rationalise nasty men/They must die.These lyrics from the song Boom bye-bye Bye by Buju Banton personify the manner in which the reggae dancehall enculturation of Jamaica views homosexuals. These lyrics will invariably be part of dancehall history because of the controver sy they started amongst the homosexual North American community, who were offended by Buju Bantons lyrics. The controversy brought about the question of whether this was a problem due to cultural differences or a hate nuisance against a group that is considered a minority, homosexuals. This song brings forth issues and different beliefs that atomic number 18 present in the Jamaican culture that contradicts those of the North American culture.The lyrics of dancehall reggae medicinal drug in Jamaica seem to encourage the taunting and violence towards homosexuals. Of course it is convention for most reggae songs to deal with the social concerns and religious beliefs of Jamaicans because it is a big mental representation of the Jamaican culture. Homosexuals are looked down upon as outcasts because of their sexuality. Homop... ...ut his culture. I believe anyone, not but musicians, but any artist should be able to stockpile themselves and their beliefs through their work. If it is the norm in your society to believe something is wrong so how can you expect a prominent artist to express himself in a manner that goes against the norm of his society. Personally I believe that he is signing about his culture and no one, no matter what the situation, should be criticized for expressing his or her beliefs. In conclusion the deeply rooted homophobia that is mistakably reflected in Bantons lyrics and that, more importantly, pervades the Jamaican society, is a very controversial issue. Not only is there the question of whether Banton is correct because he is singing about his culture but despite the fact that he is expressing his beliefs does he have any right to threaten the lives of human beings.