And, they do not like to see such things in their faces. These people are au fait (cool) with the idea of freedom of speech and expression but have a problem when other individuals or groups exercise of that freedom, tramples on their own.

When it comes to some dancehall artists they are expressing their feelings towards this in the manner with the same passion and in the same manner in which dancehall music expresses itself: rough, gruff and raggamuffin style!

Some artists are particularly articulate and anti-homosexual without using sentiments that can be misinterpretted as being liable to incite others to kill gay people. Others, simply do not care what they say as to them the message is the most important and not how it is conveyed or who it upsets.

Banning dancehall artist Sizzla from entering the UK to peform on the basis that his lyrics would incite others to kill gay people, is utter rubbish. For nearly 20 years modern dancehall music has been happily co-existing with gay culture, even embraced by it, without one single death as a result. Yet, the shortsighted propagandists gay media and their supporters, have suddenly concluded that the reason for all their troubles is dancehall music! Yeah right…

Firing Line

Of course the dancehall artists who write and perform lyrics liable to put themselves in the firing line of legal precedents are entirely to blame for their own demise or failure to secure the right permit to perform in terrorities where their music is played heavily. Or even to railroad their careers. It is obvious that if one feels strongly against homosexuality, or any other matter for that fact, the form of protest and how (or delivery) also has to be a factor that should be taken into consideration.

Just going into a studio and delivering the message “Fire Bu’n Batty Man” or “Batty Man Fi Get Boom” on record clearly isn’t working! Another, better constructed approach is needed. And, a well constructed argument against homosexuality is not that difficult to structure and there are legitimate grounds where one might want to voice their opinion against it. These include the following:-

• Homosexual groups are most prone to AIDS/HIV so their activity can be said to be a potential death sentence.
• Homosexual couples cannot naturally give birth to their own children.
• In many places around the world, particularly in Muslim and highly religious areas, homosexuality is illegal.
• According to the teachings of Rastafari, Muslim and biblical communities, homosexuality is strictly forbidden. The Bible use the term “it is an abomination…”

It is important in all of this to highlight the fact that gay people, however odius or divine you may think their sexual activity, have as much right to practice their sexuality as any other.

So, which route the argument will now take is up for speculation. Will danechall artists bend over backwards, to coin a phrase, and compromise by refocussing their message for impact but without the elements that can put them in the dog house? Will some of them apologise in person like some gay groups say they want? How will this affect new anti-gay songs? Your guess is still as good as mine.

One thing is certtain: the gay groups seem determined to make their point. And in places like England they now seem to have the law on their side. So, unless anti-gay dancehall artists are smart they will be shut out of that territory and deprive their genuine fans access to seeing them live. Unless they handle their business smartly that is.

Watch this space.

]]> http://www.blackmag.org/x-reasons-why-eminem-is-bad-for-music.htm/feed 2 http://www.blackmag.org/americas-paranoia-is-infecting-its-people.htm http://www.blackmag.org/americas-paranoia-is-infecting-its-people.htm#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2003 02:40:51 +0000 BlackMan http://www.blackmag.org/blogs/archives/47 On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2003 while preparing for the start of the “Return of the DJ Tour” an agent from the United States Secret Service visited my home address. I was not home at the time and he left his card.

When I called him he told me that [url=http://www.cheaptickets.com]cheaptickets.com[/url] claimed that I made threats against George W. Bush while on the phone with them checking on my flights. I assured San Francisco field agent William Killgallon that I made no such threats. When I asked what cheaptickets.com was claiming that I said he would not say.

He then took some info such as my age, weight, height, birthdate, social security number (which I didn’t give – never give out your ssn) and if I owned a firearm. He then mentioned that cheaptickets.com claimed they had a tape of the conversation. I told them to get a copy of the tape and call me back because I didn’t say anything about the president or anything like that. I figured cheaptickets red flagged me because of my company name and that I booked four flights to Oklahoma City.

About a couple of hours later agent Killgallon called me back and said that him and another agent wanted to come out an interview me in person. I was in a rush getting ready for the tour and the show that night in San Francisco and explained that I really didn’t have time for this nonsense. He explained that their concern was that I was getting on a plane that next day and that they had to do this. So I agreed for them to come interview me in 30 minutes. I made sure I was outside when they arrived cause I didn’t really want them snooping around my place as this all seemed very suspicious to me.

The Spies Arrive

They arrived and we all checked each others identification (DJ T-Rock was there and witnessed everything). I showed them one of my business credit cards to prove that I had a business called “Bomb Hip-Hop Records”, showed them a CD, a flyer for the S.F. show (even invited them down but they didn’t seem like they were into hip-hop) and the tour itinerary. They asked for a copy of the itinerary and I gave them one since I had nothing to hide. They asked why cheaptickets would claim that I said something against George W. Bush and I explained that I did not and if cheaptickets provided the tape they would see that I didn’t.

They still did not tell me what cheaptickets claimed I said. They then asked me the name of who I spoke to at Cheaptickets.com which I didn’t know. I was just calling to get the total amount charged to me since it wasn’t on the email. Wouldn’t cheaptickets know this if they were making these claims?

They then asked to come into my place and check my room to make sure there were not any “targets of George W. Bush on my wall with targets drawn on them.” I hesitated for a brief second but then figured why not, all they are gonna see is graffiti photos on my wall and records. Note – one agent had a big USA pin on his tie… I bet it was a camera taking photos of my room.

Here are some tips for the Secret Service. A terrorists wouldn’t be so dumb to actually have a business with the word “Bomb” in it… would they? Bomb Hip-Hop has been in business since 1991, I’ve always paid my taxes and the tour information is posted on the official Bomb website – they have internet access at the Department of the Treasury don’t they?

So was it really cheaptickets claiming that I made a threat or was that just a lie by Secret Service so they could investigate me? No worries, I’ve just mailed complaint letters to the United States Secret Service and my California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Maybe they can help me. As for anyone calling me on the phone… assume my phone is tapped.

[b]Story Update[/b]

So far Cheaptickets only response has been :

Sincerely,
Brian Rittenberg
Internet Service and Support Team Leader