Banton Faces Trial

Reggae artist Buju Banton will face trial October 19th for his alleged role in an attack against a group of gay men in Jamaica’s capital city.

The singer is accused of participating in a June 2004 attack in which several men burst into a house in Kingston and beat six men whom they believed were gay.

Banton has denied the accusation and pleaded not guilty.

Last year, the Rastafarian rapper and other popular dancehall acts including Capleton and Sizzla canceled shows in Europe and North America following protests by gay groups who claimed the artists’ music promotes violence against homosexuals.