I WAS most perturbed to learn that Beenie Man had been excluded from the Mobo nominations. When you consider that he has had the biggest cross-over dancehall hit of the past 12 months, excluding him makes a mockery of the purpose of the Mobos; to award musical excellence.
Part of the appeal of dancehall reggae is the way in which it reflects modern Jamaican culture and represents its listeners. Artists are naturally outspoken and this adds to their appeal. It is this energy that has enabled dancehall to increase its popularity globally, and artists such as Elephant Man are at the forefront of its continued progress.
No one has the right to tell dancehall artists that they shouldn’t use lyrics that reflect their own cultural identities. Jamaica is deeply rooted in biblical principles and outlaws homosexual acts, and it is understandable that the artists voice the opinions of their fans. Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel are great talents and should be entitled to their accolades. I sincerely hope that the BBC does not bow to the preposterous demands of activists such as Peter Tatchell and I look forward to seeing dancehall reggae getting the positive publicity it has rightfully earned.
Brendan Wright, Uckfield, East Sussex
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Further alienation
ALTHOUGH Elephant Man and Beenie Man appear to incite violence against homosexuals through their lyrics, their appearance at the Mobos will not result in an increase in violence. Furthermore, barring them from receiving an award will deepen animosity and further alienate Afro-Caribbean people here in Britain.
I have listened to many Jamaican artists and have never felt the need to kill homosexuals. The belief that homosexuality should be opposed is wrong, but punishing another because of their beliefs is just as wrong.
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Maurice Walters, crazybaldhead7@hotmail.com
Ignorant hatred
I AM not an activist — I am just a guy who happens to be gay — but yet again I have to stand back and listen to abuse from uneducated, talentless black “artists”. Do we have to condone violence and hatred just because it comes from black musicians? What would happen if a gay singer started inciting violence against the black community? No, Elephant Man should not get the award — and his peers should be openly condemning any form of hatred or violence.
Dean Ridgewell, London EC3
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Reich rhythms?
IT DOESN’T matter that few people actually understand the argot. Would it be OK to set Mein Kampf to reggae as long as you left it in German so that the average dancehall fan didn’t know what it said?
Christopher Lamb, Cambridge
Boycott these beats
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I HAVE, on many occasions, left the dancefloor when the DJ begins his set of bassy, hip-wriggling “ragga” music. I do not wish to condone the fact that many of these lyrics encourage violence against gay people. I feel that DJs have been ignoring the fact that this is the most homophobic music around and it is being freely played in nightclubs everywhere — even in clubs for the under-18s.
The Mobos are important for the much-needed recognition of black music. But it is understandable that the BBC should threaten not to broadcast them, and the Mobo organisers should embrace this opportunity and show that this form of music is unacceptable.
Corrina Antrobus, London E8
Don’t make new victims
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I FIND it ironic that Mobo fails to acknowledge this form of prejudice, despite the fact that the awards are dedicated to music originating from nations and cultures that have suffered from a history of prejudice and victimisation.
If a gay artist were to incite racial hatred he would quite rightly be banned.
Chris Thick, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
Higher powers
I AM SICK to death of hearing about how ignorance and medieval beliefs are “part of Jamaican culture” and thus inseparable from the country’s music. If so, how did Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Big Youth so easily eschew this rubbish to sing about self-respect, truth and the love of freedom? Jamaican musicians should look to their past — and grow up.
Niall Benjamin, London SE3