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JAMAICA Jamaica/Antigua: Arrest of reggae musician sparks censorship debate The arrest of dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, who is charged with murder, has sparked a debate over whether restrictions should be placed on of music with violent content 12 October 2011 Guyana: Singer banned by National Broadcasting Association The Guyana National Broadcasting Association announced on 21 September 2011 that the Jamaican dancehall singer Vybz Kartel has been banned from public airwaves 27 September 2011 Jamaica: Ban on violent and explicit sexual lyrics A government-led crackdown on violent and explicit sexual lyrics seems to have stalled reggae music’s 20-year slide into what has been dubbed “murder music” 04 October 2010 Germany: 11 Jamaican 'hate music' albums blacklisted An official German authority has blacklisted 11 dancehall albums in the period between 2008 and January 2010 due to violent and homophobic content 20 April 2010 Denmark: Controversy over Jamaican reggae star's concert City council politicians and a Copenhagen music venue threatened to cancel a concert with reggae star Sizzla after a newspaper had quoted anti-gay viewpoints 21 October 2009 Guyana: Ban liftet on 'gangsta' dancehall star Several countries in the Carribean have barred the Jamaican dancehall artist Mavado citing that his lyrics advocate violence. In Guyana, the goverment lifted the ban 23 September 2009 USA / Jamaica: Buju Banton has US tour canceled by promoters US concert promoters canceled shows by Buju Banton after protests from gay rights advocacy organisations over the singer's homophobic song lyrics 07 September 2009 Jamaica / Denmark: University thesis on dancehall reggae and homophobia A university thesis which analyses Jamaican music culture in a postcolonial context was published in Danish language in March 2009. 20 May 2009 Grenada: Government rejects popular Jamaican artist The government of Grenada has denied performance work permits to popular Jamaican Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel and his band. 28 April 2009 Canada: Jamaica-boycott called off The Canadian group that called for a boycott of Jamaica unless the country's government take action on homophobic violence has called it off after recieving an official letter 22 May 2008 Denmark: Activist campaigns against online sales of 'murder music' Online music stores that sell so-called 'murder music' (reggae with lyrics inciting to violence against homosexuals) receive complaints from Danish gay rights activist 22 May 2008 Canada: Silencing Jamaican musicians fuels censorship debate A Canadian coalition calls for a boycott of Jamaica by 12 May 2008 if the country's government doesn't take action on homophobic violence. 08 May 2008 Jamaica: Dancehall artist banned for his 'gangsta lyrics' In January 2008, a performance by Jamaican dancehall artist Mavado was banned by authorities in St. Vincent because his lyrics which are considered to be violent 28 April 2008 Jamaica / USA: Boundaries of freedom of musical expression examined The boundaries of free speech in today's popular music culture are to be examined in a tv programme recorded in New York, USA, on 7 February 2008 22 January 2008 UK: Reggae star banned from entering Great Britain Jah Cure recently served eight years in prison for rape and robbery, and is now banned from entering the UK. Activists claim that his concerts would be an insult to rape victims. 18 October 2007 Canada: Reggae shows cancelled after protests Jamaican reggae stars Elephant Man and Sizzla have been forced to cancel two concerts in Toronto, Canada, after locals protested against their homophobic lyrics 02 October 2007 Jamaica: Dancehall star signs the Reggae Compassionate Act Reggae and dancehall star Buju Banton is the fourth artist to sign the 'Reggae Compassionate Act' which is part of the gay rights campaign ‘Stop Murder Music’ 09 August 2007 Denmark: Reggae concert under close surveillance 200 activitsts demonstrated against Jamaican rapper and DJ Elephant Man in Copenhagen on 21 May 2007 because he has incited to violence against homosexuals in his songs 23 May 2007 USA: Controversial reggae star's show called off A Los Angeles nightclub has canceled a performance by reggae star Buju Banton because of his lyrics against homosexuality 26 September 2006 Denmark: Calling to cancel Jamaican reggae star concert Buju Banton was met with demonstrations and callings to cancel his concert when he played at The Rock in Copenhagen on July 11 2006 26 July 2006 Jamaica: School principal wants 'negative songs' banned The principal of the Mona High School in Kingston has called for the banning of songs with lyrical contents that have a negative impact on the youth, reports The Jamaica Observer 24 April 2006 France: Jamaican reggae star’s concerts cancelled Six French music venues have axed scheduled performances of Jamaican reggae singer Capleton because of his lyrics against homosexuality 09 June 2005 Pride and prejudice: 'anti-gay' stars refuse to apologise Their gigs have been cancelled all over the world and their names withdrawn from awards. But Jamaica's dancehall stars refuse to apologise for - or even stop singing - songs that encourage the murder of gay people. Extensive article from The Guardian 10 December 2004 City demands 'anti-gay' music ban Brighton will be the first UK city to demand that retailers ban albums with "anti-gay" lyrics. The City Council voted unanimously to write to the managing directors of Virgin Megastore, HMV and MVC condemning the music. The council do not have the power to force the stores not to sell the music 27 November 2004 No apology from 'anti-gay' singer Reggae star Sizzla has refused to apologise for his lyrics advocating violence against gay men, despite his UK tour being cancelled after protests. Sizzla is not allowed into the UK while the Home Secretary examines concerns raised by gay rights group OutRage! 25 November 2004 City seeks 'anti-gay' album ban The first UK city-wide boycott of albums with "anti-gay" lyrics is being considered in Brighton. Councillors want music retailers like HMV, Virgin Megastore and MVC to stop selling albums with homophobic lyrics in its Brighton branches 23 November 2004 Reggae stars 'help to spread HIV' International Development Minister Gareth Thomas fears that discrimination against homosexuals is deterring people from being tested for HIV. "A number of artistes are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV by producing reggae and rap songs actually encouraging discrimination" 22 November 2004 Censor and be damned? The link between violent music and violent behaviour "The UK Home Office has decided that Sizzla cannot come to the UK to play at this time." Scotland on Sunday about the current debate on homophobic lyrics 14 November 2004 'Anti-gay' lyrics inquiry starts The government is considering banning reggae star Sizzla from the UK. Meanwhile detectives are investigating claims that lyrics penned by eight leading reggae artists incite violence against homosexuals and are therefore illegal. 03 November 2004 United Kingdom: Reggae concert banned over lyrics Jamaican singer Buju Banton has been banned from playing a concert in Manchester after protests over his allegedly homophobic lyrics. Greater Manchester Police cancelled the gig as previous performances "suggest a likelihood of public disorder" 23 September 2004 Reggae stars dropped because of 'homophobic' lyrics A collection of articles and background information on Hate Music and the current debate, where Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, the two controversial reggae acts accused of inciting violence against homosexuals, have been dropped from the UK Mobo Awards show 08 September 2004 Beenie Man banned from MTV gig Reggae star Beenie Man - recently accused of "lyrics that are an incitement to homophobic murder and violence" - has been banned from performing at an MTV concert after gay activists planned a protest over the singer's past lyrics 04 September 2004