Reggae star BUJU BANTON’s upcoming Los Angeles concert has been scrapped following protests from the city’s gay rights groups.
The Jamaican dancehall singer was booked to perform at Club Nokia in October (09), but bosses at AEG, who operate the venue, and promoters Live Nation have agreed to pull the plug on the show.
It’s the second time the Los Angeles gay and lesbian community’s protests have led to the cancellation of a Banton show in the city – in 2006 a concert at the Highlands club was scrapped and the reggae star was forced to find an alternative venue.
Banton has faced fierce opposition from gay rights groups for years because of his violently homophobic lyrics – his 1992 song Boom Bye Bye suggested homosexuals should have acid poured on them.
The Los Angeles concert isn’t the only one AEG and Live Nation bosses have cancelled – they’ve also pulled the plug on scheduled shows in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston.