LIFEbeat Cancels Concert

The organizer of the Reggae Gold Live concert to promote HIV /AIDS awareness at NYC’s Webster Hall canceled the event July 14th because of protests against performers Beenie Man and T.O.K.

LIFEbeat canceled the July 18th event after protesters wanted the artists dropped or to publicly denounce their anti-gay lyrics.

LIFEbeat Director John Canelli, deluged with calls that were at times threatening, said in a statement it wasn’t worth putting people at risk to put on the concert. He said the threats came from random callers rather than anyone involved in the protest.

“While the organization’s staff and board believe very strongly in the positive purpose and intention of this event, the possibility of violence at the concert from the firestorm incited by a select group of activists makes canceling the event the only responsible action,” Canelli said. “It is unfortunate, however, that the intended good that could result from bringing this community together around this potentially groundbreaking event will not be realized.”

Canelli added he and his staff would work with the activists to find a better forum to address the HIV and AIDS problem.

Some defenders have said the lyrics of Jamaican dancehall artists Beenie Man and T.O.K. reflect common Jamaican cultural attitudes. But Beenie Man’s song “Han Up Deh,” calls for a lesbian to be hanged and T.O.K.’s “Chi Chi Man” suggests burning gay men.

“The idea that they would invite artists who encourage murdering gays and lesbians is so outrageous, insulting and unbelievable,” activist Keith Boykin said prior to the cancellation.

Other artists scheduled to perform were Wayne Wonder, Sasha and Kulcha Don, and Foxy Brown.

This wasn’t the first time Beenie Man has been pulled from a concert because of his anti-gay lyrics. The singer was dropped from two Canadian concerts and the MTV Video Awards in 2004 due to protests and threatened boycotts by gay rights groups, and also dropped from concerts in Europe and the U.S.