A gay advocacy group protested the shows scheduled in several major cities, citing the reggae performer’s lyrics as homophobic and threatening violence against gays.

In “Boom, Bye Bye,” a little ditty Banton recorded in 1988 and then re-recorded in 1992, the performer sang about shooting gays in the head.

This isn’t the first time Banton has lost shows due to “Boom, Bye Bye.” Gay advocacy groups successfully lobbied a Hollywood nightclub to cancel a 2006 appearance.

Apparently Banton has been trying to distance himself from “Boom, Bye Bye,” often performing only snatches of the song and claiming to use the piece as a “starting point for conversation” about the song, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Pop & Hiss blog.

Pop & Hiss also pointed out that Banton was tried and acquitted on charges he was involved in the beating of six gay men in Jamaica in 2004.

As the week went on the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center lobbied AEG Live and Live Nation to cancel the dates. By Thursday night there were indications something was about to happen.

Sure enough, Live Nation canceled its dates. Then AEG Live canceled its Banton shows and the company’s VP of Communications – Michael Roth – sent Pollstar the following statement.

“We are aware of the concerns that were brought to our attention this week with regards to Buju Banton’s October appearance. We are reaching out to the artist, artist management and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center to satisfactorily resolve the issues that have been presented.”

Shortly after Roth issued the statement, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center claimed success.

“I hope this victory sends a deafeningly loud message to other promoters and concert venues, that singers who glorify violence against LGBT people, or any group of people, should never be welcomed,” L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said. “It shouldn’t be necessary for us to pressure promoters to do the right thing; people like Banton should never have been booked in the first place.”

Gone from the schedule is the Sept. 12 show in Philadelphia at the Trocadero Theatre; Oct. 1 in Chicago at House of Blues; Oct. 10 in San Francisco at the Regency Ballroom; Oct. 14 in Los Angeles at Club Nokia; Oct. 15 in Las Vegas at House of Blues; Oct. 20 in Dallas at House of Blues; Oct. 22 in Houston at House of Blues.

Click here for the complete Los Angeles Times / Pop & Hiss article.