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

Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia The world is in trouble/Anytime Buju Banton come/ Batty male child get up and dethaw/ ah gunshot in ah drift man/Tell dem crew its like/ Boom bye bye, in a batty boy head, rude boy nah promote no nasty man, them hafi dead. The average section of the reggae dancehall culture knows the message that this song is sending to its listeners. However, without a translation these lyrics do not mean a thing to someone who is not beaten(prenominal) with this culture and the vocabulary of dancehall artists. Translated the lyrics read The world is in trouble/When Buju Banton arrives/Faggots guide to run/Or get a bullet in the head /Bang-bang, in a faggots head/Homeboys dont condone nasty men/They must die.These lyrics from the song Boom passing Bye by Buju Banton personify the manner in which the reggae dancehall culture of Jamaica views homosexuals. These lyrics pull up stakes always be part of dancehall history because of the controversy th ey started amongst the homosexual marriage American community, who were offended by Buju Bantons lyrics. The controversy brought roughly the forefront of whether this was a problem due to cultural differences or a detest crime against a group that is considered a minority, homosexuals. This song brings forth issues and various beliefs that are present in the Jamaican culture that contradicts those of the North American culture.The lyrics of dancehall reggae music in Jamaica seem to encourage the taunting and violence towards homosexuals. Of range it is normal for most reggae songs to deal with the social concerns and religious beliefs of Jamaicans because it is a enlarged representation of the Jamaican culture. Homosexuals are looked down upon as outcasts because of their sexuality. Homop... ...ut his culture. I desire anyone, not only musicians, but any artist should be sufficient to converse themselves and their beliefs through their work. If it is the norm in your soci ety to study something is impose on _or_ oppress then 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 charter any right to threaten the lives of human beings.