Controversy over Beenieman's addition to BDO 2010 lineup
Earlier this week, the Big Day Out had their second lineup announcement. Amongst the rockist dross was the exciting news that Jamaican reggae artist Beenieman had been included.
The Big Day Out has a spotty history with reggae, from the 2008 visit of raunchy singer Lady Saw, to the 2006 visit from Mikey Dread, who wasn't the original Mikey Dread (Dread at the Controls) from Jamaica, but a UK singer who had been using the same name for a number of years (more here). Stinky Jim alerted the BDO organisers to this fact, as they didn't know about it.
A number of commenters on C4 TV's website have taken offence at the inclusion of Beenieman (see here), and local news site Gaynz.com has also picked up the story.
The Green Party have also waded in, with one of their MPs calling the invitation of Beenieman to NZ "shameful... Hatemongering is not welcome in New Zealand. Big Day Out must withdraw its invitation. If it does not then both musicians and fans will be called upon to declare which side they are on."
The Big Day Out orgainsers have responded this afternoon, issuing a press release. Here it is in full.
Beenie Man: statement from the Big Day Out
The Big Day Out Festival booked Jamaican Dancehall artist Beenie Man for the 2010 tour in the knowledge that the artist has a controversial past.
In response to the concerns that Beenie Man may perform homophobic material from his youth, the Big Day Out promoters say that as far as they could ascertain, that since signing the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007, Beenie Man has stayed true to his word in not performing the offending songs.
The Big Day Out has today contacted Beenie Man to seek confirmation that Beenie Man stands by the Reggae Compassionate Act.
“The Big Day Out’s core values include those of tolerance and understanding,” says Auckland Big Day Out promoter Campbell Smith.
“We are responding to concerns that Beenie Man’s presence at the event may compromise those values and are directly investigating fears that he will perform material conflicting with our philosophy and his own undertakings pursuant to the RCA.
“It may take us up to a week to resolve this matter.” ENDS
In the statement the BDO organisers say they "booked Jamaican Dancehall artist Beenie Man for the 2010 tour in the knowledge that the artist has a controversial past." However, in an earlier statement to Gaynz.com, BDOs Campbell Smith is quoted as saying that "We were not aware of this history regarding Beenie Man."
Beenieman was banned from performing at an MTV event in Miami in 2004.
ADDED: Samesame.com.au: "Ban Homophobe from BDO?" - The only Australian news site with any coverage of this story, so far.
"Beenieman, Capleton and Sizzla renounce homphobia" 2007.
Beenieman denies signing Reggae Compasionate Act, in an interview with Jamaica Observer, July 2007.
Beenieman's signed statement - Reggae Compassionate Act. March 2007
ADDED: Radio NZ's Morning Report on Beenieman/BDO controversy, they talked to Stinky Jim on it, listen here... http://bit.ly/2MGii1 (23 mins in)
Sintky Jim :"Why dont they pick out hiphop artists? Its not just dancehall that this goes on in, It happens in other forms of music. Dancehall is the scapegoat - I think it is because its a poor music, it doesnt have major corporations backing it - its an easy target.
I can't believe that by harrassing artists and making it a witchhunt, this is going to improve the situation."
1 comment:
Something on it on Morning Report tomorrow, I was asked for comment. Relying on Radio NZ not to twist my words, but tried to provide some conext.
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