Ragga Muffins festival cancels reggae singer Capleton's appearance over anti-gay lyrics

By Phillip Zonkel (Press telegram Long Beach)

LONG BEACH - Capleton, the controversial Jamaican reggae singer whose lyrics glorify killing gay people, has been booted off the bill of this weekend's Ragga Muffins Festival, organizers said.
Capleton was scheduled to appear on Sunday's portion of the two-day concert, which takes place at the Long Beach Arena. Advance tickets are $38 and $55, and Saturday and Sunday tickets are $45 and $60.

"We can't put people on the show who are advocating violence against any group of people," said Moss Jacobs, co-producer of the Ragga Muffins Festival.
Following Jacobs decision, other reggae promoters have cancelled Capleton concerts scheduled for Feb. 15 in San Diego and Feb. 20 in Oakland, Jacobs said.
Capleton, 42, born Clifton George Bailey III, has been criticized for lyrics advocating burning, lynching and shooting of homosexuals. One song, "Bun Out Di Chi Chi," reportedly translates to "burn the queer."

But in 2007 Capleton was one of several reggae artists, including Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Elephant Man and Sizzla, who signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, pledging not to sing songs "inciting hatred or violence against anyone from any community."
Ragga Muffin organizers first considered Capleton - who performed at the 2008 festival - for this year's Long Beach show about four or five months ago before signing him to a contract in December, Jacobs said.
At that time, organizers "did due diligence. We thought he passed the scrutiny test," Jacobs said.

Since late January, human rights activists have been pushing for Capleton's California concerts to be expunged. Those activists include England's Peter Tatchell, who works with the Stop Murder Music campaign, which watchdogs reggae music for gay hatred, and San Francisco blogger Michael Petrelis, have been pushing for Capleton's California concerts to be expunged.
On Friday, Jacobs cancelled Capleton's appearance after learning the singer had reneged on his promise, he said.

"He has not been able to change his lyrical content," Jacobs said.
Adds Petrelis: "Capleton made cosmetic changes (after signing the Reggae Compassionate Act) because he wants American cash. We in the gay community are not satisfied with cosmetic changes. I applaud the promoters for cancelling Capleton's engagement and not profiting from homo-hate."

These cancellations are not Capleton's first. In 2008, at least two Capleton concerts, one in France and the other in Switzerland, were called off following protests of his anti-gay lyrics.
phillip.zonkel@presstelegram.com,