"Who dis bumboclatt Babylon bwoy bloggin bout I'n'I?"I was actually hoping to spin yarns about some other things first. This is not a dancehall or reggae blog, it's a blog about all the general things I'm interested in. But I need to say my piece about BUJU BANTON now while it's still fresh in my mind.
Reggae music gives the impression that most Jamaicans are Rastas, but this is actually not the case. Most Jamaicans are actually Christian. Highly traditional, Jamaican christianity is often militantly anti-homosexual. The Rastas are no better in this regard (as roots reggae artist SIZZLA makes clear), with Rastafari's strong emphasis on the Old Testament (my personal least-favorite testament). It's an all around bad religio-social climate for the batty boys. TIME called it the worst representative for gays rights in the western hemisphere. Boning a dude can get you 10 years, no joke. The violence against homosexuals there is no joke either.
And the centerpiece of every article or argument about homophobia in dancehall culture/Jamaican society: Buju Banton, and this song he wrote in the 80's at the age of 15 and recorded in 1993.
Reggae music gives the impression that most Jamaicans are Rastas, but this is actually not the case. Most Jamaicans are actually Christian. Highly traditional, Jamaican christianity is often militantly anti-homosexual. The Rastas are no better in this regard (as roots reggae artist SIZZLA makes clear), with Rastafari's strong emphasis on the Old Testament (my personal least-favorite testament). It's an all around bad religio-social climate for the batty boys. TIME called it the worst representative for gays rights in the western hemisphere. Boning a dude can get you 10 years, no joke. The violence against homosexuals there is no joke either.
And the centerpiece of every article or argument about homophobia in dancehall culture/Jamaican society: Buju Banton, and this song he wrote in the 80's at the age of 15 and recorded in 1993.
The basic message of this song is that all gay people should be, ideally, shot in the head, or burned alive with acid. Boom Bye Bye is absolute hate music.
So now why would anybody (especially me, what with my integrity and all) listen to an artist like this? Because as nuts as it makes me, besides the above monstrosity, almost every song I've heard from BUJU has been musically great and had a wonderfully positive message.
So now why would anybody (especially me, what with my integrity and all) listen to an artist like this? Because as nuts as it makes me, besides the above monstrosity, almost every song I've heard from BUJU has been musically great and had a wonderfully positive message.
I would spend many nights at home.
Woman if it means contention, I'd rather be alone.
Tell the serviceman cut the phone, I'd say block all communication, why?
If there's no light within my day, I'd rather stay in isolation.
For that special someone a lifetime I'll wait, I know that I'll be OK.
Cross my heart, every day, I live, I pray.
I know she'll come my way, night and day
For this woman I pray.
I wanna be loved!
Not for who you think I am, or who you want me to be, could you love me for me?
Real love, with no strings attached, I wanna give you my heart...
Woman if it means contention, I'd rather be alone.
Tell the serviceman cut the phone, I'd say block all communication, why?
If there's no light within my day, I'd rather stay in isolation.
For that special someone a lifetime I'll wait, I know that I'll be OK.
Cross my heart, every day, I live, I pray.
I know she'll come my way, night and day
For this woman I pray.
I wanna be loved!
Not for who you think I am, or who you want me to be, could you love me for me?
Real love, with no strings attached, I wanna give you my heart...
You have to know the right albums to pick. The only BUJU BANTON albums I mess with are Til Shiloh and Inna Heights, which are the ones on which he focuses more on his roots influence than his hardcore dancehall anthems. On Inna Heights there's a track he dedicates to all the single parents in the world.
Consider how they make it to the end of the day,
Working so hard, just to get paid.
As a single parent, life ain't easy,
Play the role of mom and dad.
Mama I thank you, thank you.
I never know no father yet you provide my dinner.
And I love you, oh mama,
When you cry I cry too.
Why do you look so dull and foresaken?
I know that he's gone and your heart is broken,
But we are still together,
Mama never leave us alone...
Consider how they make it to the end of the day,
Working so hard, just to get paid.
As a single parent, life ain't easy,
Play the role of mom and dad.
Mama I thank you, thank you.
I never know no father yet you provide my dinner.
And I love you, oh mama,
When you cry I cry too.
Why do you look so dull and foresaken?
I know that he's gone and your heart is broken,
But we are still together,
Mama never leave us alone...
I mean, this is beautiful, inspirational stuff! This could make a person break out in tears! And it's wonderful musically as well. I didn't include any of his more spiritual songs in my examples but they are downright empowering.
All the while in the back of my mind, however, I know this guy is a horribly, horribly prejudiced person. I'd like to think that Boom Bye Bye was the product of an angry misguided youth, but he's kept his outrageously confused ideas about homosexuals up to today. So basically I enjoy BUJU's music in the same manner I enjoy SPIKE LEE movies; with a lot of guilt.
In a somewhat related point: BUJU is in prison right now for cocaine (EXTREMELY un-Rasta of you, by the way Buju). The slammer's a good place for soul searching, maybe he'll see the error of his ways.
All the while in the back of my mind, however, I know this guy is a horribly, horribly prejudiced person. I'd like to think that Boom Bye Bye was the product of an angry misguided youth, but he's kept his outrageously confused ideas about homosexuals up to today. So basically I enjoy BUJU's music in the same manner I enjoy SPIKE LEE movies; with a lot of guilt.
In a somewhat related point: BUJU is in prison right now for cocaine (EXTREMELY un-Rasta of you, by the way Buju). The slammer's a good place for soul searching, maybe he'll see the error of his ways.
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