The undisputed King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man, is again being targeted by gay rights activists for homophobic mus ic. 
Beenie slated t o perform in New Zealand at the Big Day Out concert has been protested by gay rights activists. The activists even set up a Facebook page encouraging attendees to disrupt Beenie's set if he is allowed to perform. Red Carpet Shelley has just learned that the promoters have indeed removed Beenie Man from the line-up as a result of the protests.
I think its unfair because I have seen Beenie perform countless times over the past couple of years and cannot recall seeing him perform any of the lyrics in question. Also, he reportedly signed a document a few years ago agreeing not to perform these songs yet its still not enough...Here's the statement from the show's promoters:
The Producers of Big Day Out have decided not to proceed with the proposed engagement of Jamaican Reggae performer Beenie Man for the Jan 2010 show.Although aware of the controversial nature of Beenie Man and his previous lyrics that have caused offence with the Gay and Lesbian and wider
community, the Producers understood that the artist had renounced these sentiments and no longer expresses those views. Notwithstanding claims of a co mmitment to the Reggae Compassionate Act which he signed in 2007 and a promise of adherence to peaceful and humanistic values for the dates here by Beenie Man, the depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups has convinced us that for us to proceed with his Big Day Out appearances was, and would continue to be, divisive amongst our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many. For this reason we have decided not to proceed.
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