Jamaican-Canadian activists have expressed concern recently over some of the headliners of the Edmonton Reggae Festival in Canada. The three headliners Queen Ifrica, I Wayne and Capleton have all come under fire at one point or another for anti-LGBTQ lyrics, and the concern is whether or not it’ll spill over into what is promoted as a family-friendly fest.
All three artists have been unapologetic about their positions. Capleton has even condoned violence and has been quoted as saying “shoulda know seh Capleton bun battyman, dem same fire apply to di lesbian,” which translates to “you should know that Capleton burns queers, the same fire applies to lesbians.” On the song “Keep It To Yourself” Queen Ifrica uses the term “fish,” which is a derogatory term aimed at homosexuals:
Yu can change di laws of man
But yu can’t change di laws of god
So if dem nocking a big glass dem glad
Wan wi fi change a must mad dem mad
Somebody tell mi what is happening
A don’t want no fish inna mi Ital dish
Both Capleton and Ifrica have had shows either moved or cancelled because of their views, and in each instance neither has backed down from their stance. Activists have come out and expressed their concern over normalizing anti-gay sentiments and violence, believing that supporting artists like Queen Ifirca, I Wayne and Capleton does irreparable damage to the psyche.
For now festival promoters are moving forward with the show’s lineup fully intact. They did send out a letter to the artists, however, outlining their ‘family-friendly’ expectations.
Meanwhile, Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad (JAGLA) released a statement of their own. And while they condemn the decision to keep them on the bill a formal protest has yet to be organized. Sponsors and fans however, are beginning to withdrawal support and cry the beginning stages of boycott, led by local human rights activist Murray Billett, a former member of the Edmonton police commission. “Homophobia is wrong, no matter who is delivering the message,” he told Edmonton’s CBC News.
This isn’t the first time an artist has been lambasted for controversial lyrics. Action Bronson was recently removed from a lineup for lyrics that made light of domestic violence, and Odd Future felt heat from protesters at Pitchfork over homophobic and misogynistic verses.
The radar is up, and the activists are out, ready to make a stance and change the landscape of what is deemed acceptable. Whether or not the artists will comply is to be determined.
