Previously from Lara & Brian Cox – Arcata Theatre Lounge
In support of the community who have expressed great concerns over the message and lyrics of this performer, we will be canceling the Bounty Killer Nov. 28th show.
We have in the past shown our support for the gay community and anti violence with events such as the Benefit for Marriage Equality, the Multi-cultural Queer Film Fest and Veterans for Peace: Speak Out Film Fest and hope both the gay and straight community will consider this and show their support for future events.
In closing, we would like to mention that for future shows we will make more effort to research potential artists who may represent violence against others.
After being cancelled the show moved to Eureka:
Lion’s Den Entertainment presents Bounty Killer in an exclusive North Coast appearance on Saturday November 28 at The Red Fox Tavern in Eureka.
Then following further intervention by Queer Humboldt, that show was cancelled too.
From this week’s Hum:
If you were a rough and tough dancehall singer from Kingston born with the wimpy moniker, Rodney Basil Price, you’d probably think about changing your name. Thus we have Bounty Killer, a badass dude with a rep. For what? Well, he’s known as a killer deejay (as in rapper) and for his collab with No Doubt in 2001. He’s also known for his arrest record: a domestic violence beef in 2006, two arrests at JA’s Reggae Sumfest, one over a fight and in 2008 for slackness: excess profanity on stage. He’s also been the victim (if that’s the right word) of the anti-gay-bashing blacklist. Outrage!, the British org, tried (and failed) to convince Scotland Yard to arrest him for inciting violence and harassment against the gay community through his lyrics. No arrest, but two of his shows over there were cancelled…
For a comprehensive, thoughtful history of anti-gay elements in Jamaican music check out the Murder inna Dancehall portion of the Soul Rebels website.
This article appears in Reinventing Scotia.
“…she was punched in the face several times [ by Bounty Killer]. She was dragged some distance away (near South Avenue), and her head slammed into a wall, and she was kicked to the ground.
Rambally was assisted to the Kingston Public Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries, including severe swelling to the face.”
– Jamaica Star, 2006
I suppose poor Mr. Price was set up. Terrible to be a victim (if that’s the right word.)
Its surprising to see people telling other people what they can and cannot see. If you do not like the lyrics of an individual artist, you do not have to attend or participate. I did not see anyone cancel Pink Martini, why cancel a concert that many people in the community were looking forward? Seems unfair and wrong to be prejudice against someone who is from a culture with different beliefs when the gay community wants to have prejudice towards their community stop. I have so much respect for the gay community in our county, but this canceling of concerts is really hurting me. I can’t understand this hypocrisy. Please respect the straight community as much as we respect your right to your own sexuality.
good riddance bounty hunter. go away and never come back.
Anonymous,
Bounty Killer can hate me as much as he wants, and he can sing about his hatred as much as he wants. He cannot call for my murder, at least not in the United States.
If you feel that I’m being prejudiced in preventing someone from calling for my murder, it implies to me that you’ve never had anyone call for your murder.
I don’t respect violent Jamaican homophobia just as I don’t respect American racism and anti-immigrant bigotry. They are not worthy of respect.
It is eye-opening to see the very, very shallow understanding that some people have of the RESPONSIBILITIES involved in living in a free society.
Greetings. Everyone on this post. I want to say first off that i have massive respect for the homosexual community here in humboldt and worldwide. Bounty Killa is a contemporary and living legend in dancehall music. He is known to bring up other talented artist in Jamaica like Mavado, Wayne Marshall, and elephant man. I have seen bounty before here in the states and he has never sung a homophobic tune! I just feel that protesting would have been more productive. But to totally censor an artiste of any music genre is a disgrace to the fundamentals of free speech in the American constitution.
It is eye opening to see the restrictions of free speech some people are willing to support because such speech might not be what they want to hear. 10:17 sees it right.
My Comment is That I have lived in seattle,portland,Noow humboldt,I’ve been here 4yrs now,I have gay friends in these places and I have A good friend currently that has gay parents,But I’m a single dad who works 2 jobs, and goes to school 4 days aweek,The one and only few nigghts Ayear I can go enjoy some good reggae they cancelle the show do to what an artist has song in the past.This is a bigg let down,First how are these Gay groups here in humboldt even know what an artist has sang in the past,I dought they even listen to reggae,Why That is selfish that gays group make other hardworking people have to suffer because they dont agree with what an artist has said in the past,If you dont like them,dont go to the show,It isn’t like the artist is going to come to the rant out gay smears to our community that would be total disrespect,So all in all,what ever happen to fredoms of people,Gays have their own chalanges amonst society,so why would they put that on to someone else?Well thanks for ruining my one and few nights I could have went out to have a good time.Thanx alot
Sorry your night was ruined.
If you’re interested in why, this would be a good place to start. Bounty Killer is page 3:
http://www.petertatchell.net/popmusic/Dancehall-Dossier-FINAL.pdf
Great article on murder music in the Sonoma County weekly, the Bohemian:
http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/12.02.09/feature-0948.html