Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Murder music

WhoWhat&Why?
- Murder music




Murder music is quite unknown to a lot of people - and thank God for that. Mostly because it has been rightfully banned in plenty of countries, but also because it happens relatively underground. Yet, musicians promoting this kind of murder-hatred still appear on various stages around the world, and this is why I would like to highlight the issues with specifically murder music.

In contrast to emo music, murder music is not about YOU. Its about OTHERS. Essentially your hatred to another race, sexuality or religion. And as the name suggests, yes, violence is suggested as a mean of 'getting rid of' your enemies.

Some of the most (in)famous artists of the murder music genre include Sizzla, Buju Banton and Elephant Man. Each and every one of them have been critized by several LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual) groups for allegedly inciting murder through their lyrics.

The issue of homophobic lyrics by certain reggae artists have been hotly debated in the media through the last couple of years. Multiple anti-groups have been established and fighting for the rights of the genres victims, yet across the world, plenty of concerthalls still accept musicians who have a reputation of belonging to the murder-genre.

Most recently the artist Buju Banton have been showing interest in touring Canada with his latest album. Both Egale and Stop Murder Music-organizations have been trying to force the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to deny his entry without success.

Akim Larcher, spokesperson for Stop Murder Music (Canada) expressed his concern on GBMNews when he said: “Buju Banton has continued to perform ‘murder music’ whilst on tour in the Caribbean and has recently said that gays and lesbians are part of social decay" (Hound, 2008)

Banton's probably most popular song is called Boom Bye Bye and is a good example of how murder music works:

(Two man) Hitch up on an rub up on
An lay down inna bed
Hug up on another
Anna feel up leg
Send fi di matic an
Di Uzi instead
Shoot dem no come if we shot dem--

(Its like) Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead (Buju Banton - Boom Bye Bye)

______

Hound, News. "Murder Music" artist back in Canada, GBMNews.com. Sept. 10 2008, http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/3819/1/aMurder-Musicquot-artist-back-in-Canada/Page1.html.

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