Do people understand Homophobia in Jamaican music?  

This has been the topic of much controversy over the past 3 years. Jamaican Dancehall icons such as Buju Banton, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer etc. have all made the headlines relating to the topic of homophobia and its portrayal in dancehall music. Of course this discussion may exclude those of you who only think of Bob Marley's type of music that comes out of my little island. Perhaps you can use this occassion to do a bit more research into the popular culture of the country. Anyway - Singers such as Sizzla and Capleton sing about 'burning' gays, elephant man sings a rather gruesome account of murdering some 'chi chi men' or homosexuals in a mob frenzy. Songs like these are saluted in dancehall crowds throughout the world and celebrated by the masses of Jamaica where homosexuality is a crime , an arrestable offence. However what many homosexuals and pro-gays do not recognise is that juxtaposed beside these lyrics are hate lyrics directed towards politicians, babylon, lesbians, police and soldiers. All of whom are considered products of western society - i.e. elements of control and the result of corrupted morals. the biblical verse man shall not lie with man as with woman kind are the highlights of such lyrical protests. Do you really understand these lyrics as hate lyrics or is there a spirit of rebellion in them that should not be silenced??