Dancehall’s fight with gay community continues as Grammy nominated reggae artist Sizzla as come out with strong words against Dancehall Queen Spice for her scheduled appearance at Toronto’s Pride 2022 Festival celebrations in June next year
The ‘Dry Cry’ singer posted on his Instagram a photo of Spice with the screen grab Headline, graffitied with the words “Don’t Do The Show”.
‘Da Real Thing’ singer has a well documented history of lashing out against the gay community both on and offstage.
Sizzla also posted another image with the caption:
“None a dem nastiness bout yah unuh gweh. You’ll not corrupt our children anymore”.
Spice is scheduled for the June 2022 show and made the announcement via Instagram yesterday that she will indeed be on the show.
Dancehall selector Footahype also lashed out against Spice after Dancehall Mag broke news of the event. He expressed disappointment in the move by the “Send It Up” singer.
“In all my 20+ years as an established product of Jamaica and dancehall and reggae music this is the first time I feel completely defeated ashamed embarrassed weak betrayed in my subconscious mind I was confident that two ppl i would never live to see do this was @spiceofficial and @grunggaadzilla this now drives a serious fear in my consciousness that all hope is lost this submission to the devil has become the new thing for dancehall artiste the new norm for our culture based on what I see going is that moral values are no longer important the only thing that matters is MONEY the preservation of our music , culture and righteous values don’t count . Honestly on the name of the almighty I was banking on hope that no matter what @spiceofficial would never give in to something like I guess I was dead wrong . This is a big L for the ancestors of Jamaica and the music given to us by the almighty money has officially poisoned and crippled our industry, we’ll maybe this is a band show if not it would be sad that @spiceoffial wouldn’t consider the wellbeing and career of her dj after this , shame a kill mi God know.”
Since this week two female dancehall/reggae artists- Lila Ike and Jada Kingdom have announced that they are “Into women”.
Over the years reggae and dancehall music has been in battles with gay rights groups overseas.
hows by Buju Banton, Sizzla, Capleton, and Elephant Man have been canceled due to their homophobic lyrics and performances.
In 2007, Buju Banton, known for his 1990s hit “Boom Bye Bye,” which promotes violence against gay men, reluctantly signed the “reggae compassionate act” initiated by the gay rights organization Stop Murder Music, following a three-year campaign to hold him accountable, as reported by The Guardian. This move signifies the ongoing struggle between dancehall and LGBTQ+ rights.
Shabba Ranks faced repercussions in his career after a 1992 appearance on Channel 4’s music show “The Word.” When asked about Buju Banton’s controversial song “Boom Bye Bye,” Shabba, holding a Bible, asserted that the “word of God” supported the “crucifixion of homosexuals.” His remarks were promptly denounced by presenter Mark Lamarr, who called them “absolute crap.”
Ranks was dropped from a Bobby Brown concert and a rift with his label Sony Music ensued along with a campaign to ban his music from BBC Radio 1. His UK career dwindled but in Jamaica, Ranks has received a hero’s welcome.
After his release from prison in 2019, Buju pulled Boom Bye Bye from all streaming platforms and announced that going forward his music will be inclusive and welcoming all people.
“I recognize that the song has caused much pain to listeners, as well as to my fans, my family and myself. After all the adversity we’ve been through I am determined to put this song in the past and continue moving forward as an artist and as a man. I affirm once and for all that everyone has the right to live as they so choose. In the words of the great Dennis Brown, ‘Love and hate can never be friends.’ I welcome everyone to my shows in a spirit of peace and love. Please come join me in that same spirit.” He said.
