8/30/2009

in

Concert promoters cancel Banton's Tour of U.S.

Thomas Vo

Jamaican dancehall artist [Buju Banton](http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/08/28/buju-banton/), known for his anti-gay beliefs and music, was scheduled for a major United States tour across the country ending in October.  
  
[Evidence](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/08/buju-bantons-october-show-draws-ire-of-la-gay-community-.html) of Banton's anti-gay sentiment can be found in both his art—the 1992 single, "Boom Bye Bye," talks about pouring acid on LGBT people and shooting them in the head—and in his life—he was tried and acquitted in 2004 for charges that he took part in the beating of six gay men.  
  
Due to a [campaign](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/arts/music/31arts-BUJUBANTONSH_BRF.html) and to protests led by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, who used Facebook to organize all the supporters of the cause, the two major concert promoters cancelled Banton's shows. AEG Live/Goldenvoice (they produce festivals like Coachella and Bumbershoot) and Live Nation (promoters of 360 deals with Jay-Z, Madonna and U2) cancelled shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston.