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STOP MURDER MUSIC CAMPAIGN
Reggae/Dancehall headliners Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton who have a history for releasing anti-gay songs and promoting violence, or even the act of murder towards homosexuals, have now teamed up with 'Stop Murder Music Campaign.'
According to the campaign's co-ordinator Peter Thatchell, with the 'Reggae Compassionate Act' at hand, the campaign aims to use the reggae/dancehall artists "new commitment to music without prejudice" to enforce a positive impact on public awareness and ignorance towards the homosexual community, especially youths and artist's fans of Jamaica and the Carribean.
Five pro-murder music artists remain -Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton- unsigned to Reggae Compassionate Act, Thatchell states "the campaign against them continues." It is a worldwide campaign urging the music industry to cancel these five singers concerts and their record, sponsorship and advertising deals.
Since 2004, the 'Stop Murder Music Campaign' has managed to achieve reggae/dancehall artists tour plans to be cancelled across Europe and the US, including nomination withdrawal from award shows, which Thatchell said to "probably cost the singers, promoters and venues in the region of £5m" loss.
The Reggae Compassionate Act was negotiated by Eddie Brown of Pride Music UK, with the support of the promoters Michel Jovanovic (Mediacom, France), Klaus Maack (Contour, Germany), Peter Senders (Panic Productions, Holland), Fabrizio Pompeo (Tour de Force, Italy), Julian Garcia (Roots and Vibes, Spain) and Tim Badejo (Dubble Bubble, Scandinavia).
Words Daniella V Robbins