Buju Banton has freedom on his mind. Freedom in America. “I don’t see any freedom in America - it’s an illusion, the freedom you have,” Banton says by phone from North Carolina. The reggae superstar is crossing the country on tour through late October. “You fool yourself every day of your life while there are massacres … racial discrimination, dehumanization and mental segregation and these other things,” Banton says in his thick Jamaican patois. “Freedom? When I cannot even bring a bottle of water to drink on a plane? I’ve never known a great nation that was afraid of water. Freedom is an illusion for the few, the elite few who are wealthy and rich (enjoy freedom). Freedom for the common people? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The topic of freedom comes up because Banton has been living in “exile” since his 2004 conviction for having three marijuana plants in his Jamaican studio resulted in visa problems that kept him out of the United States for a year.

Hence, the freedom question.

Banton has the answer.

“That’s why reggae music is around,” Banton says. “Reggae music is supposed to uplift, inspire and educate and that’s why reggae music is so important.”

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie in Kingston, Jamaica, is one of reggae’s biggest stars, right up there with Sean Paul and Bob Marley. Banton emerged in 1992 with the dancehall reggae hits Bogle and Love Me Browning/Love Black Woman, and more recently has delved into a roots-reggae sound. He’s recorded anti-violence songs and Willy, Don’t Be Silly, which promotes condom use, but he’s perhaps best known for his 1992 hit Boom Bye Bye, which some interpret as a call for violence against homosexuals. His defense at the time was that he wasn’t literally advocating murder, but that homosexuality was against his Rastafarian beliefs.

He’s subsequently been the target of protests from homosexual groups; a concert in Brighton, England, was canceled this summer after protests from groups there.

“They’re of the mindset that if you do not tolerate homosexuality, you hate gay people,” Banton said. “I think that is injustice on their part - that is not tolerance on their part. It’s so shallow.”

In 2004, Banton was alleged to have been with a group of men who went to a house in Jamaica and beat six men thought to be homosexuals. Assault charges related to the incident were dropped this January.

Now it’s time for the Too Bad tour, which promotes the new record of the same name from Banton’s own label, Gargamel Music.

The record is a return to Banton’s dancehall roots.

“It’s 17 exciting new tracks,” Banton said.

Source - clarionledger.com

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