Dancehall artistes, Elephant Man and Sizzla, had to, once again, bear the blunt of another 'gay attack' in Canada over the weekend.
Elephant Man's performance at club Kool Haus was reportedly cancelled due to protests from the Canadian branch of gay rights group, Stop Murder Music.
According to an article published in the Toronto Star, Akim Larcher, founder of Stop Murder Music Canada (a coalition made up of 20 organisations that promote human rights), the entertainers should never have been granted permits in the first instance.
"They shouldn't have been allowed to get visas to perform in the country," Larcher said. "It's not about censorship or artistic freedom. That stops when hate propaganda is involved ... No one should have that platform to speak."
Homophobic
According to reports, Elephant Man and Sizzla were scheduled to perform on September 28 and October 5, respectively, but have come under fire from human rights organisations who say their lyrics are homophobic.
It was also reported in The Toronto Star, last Wednesday, that the Canadian police would be monitoring the concerts to see whether the artistes would perform hate speech and they also called in the CRTC, an organisation that regulates and polices radio and television airwaves, to ban the musicians' tracks.
Charles Khabouth, CEO of the Kool Haus venue, where Elephant Man's show was scheduled to take place, said, "I am a million per cent against lyrics that promote hatred against gays and lesbians, women, religions and races. Had I been aware of the nature of the lyrics, I wouldn't have allowed the booking."
Khabouth said contracts were signed months ago and he had not been aware of the lyrics.
Neither Elephant Man nor his manager, Q45, could be reached for comments on the situation as their cellphones were turned off.
It is yet to be seen whether Sizzla's appearance would be cancelled as a result of the protests.
Dancehall artistes, Elephant Man and Sizzla, had to, once again, bear the blunt of another 'gay attack' in Canada over the weekend.
Elephant Man's performance at club Kool Haus was reportedly cancelled due to protests from the Canadian branch of gay rights group, Stop Murder Music.
According to an article published in the Toronto Star, Akim Larcher, founder of Stop Murder Music Canada (a coalition made up of 20 organisations that promote human rights), the entertainers should never have been granted permits in the first instance.
"They shouldn't have been allowed to get visas to perform in the country," Larcher said. "It's not about censorship or artistic freedom. That stops when hate propaganda is involved ... No one should have that platform to speak."
Homophobic
According to reports, Elephant Man and Sizzla were scheduled to perform on September 28 and October 5, respectively, but have come under fire from human rights organisations who say their lyrics are homophobic.
It was also reported in The Toronto Star, last Wednesday, that the Canadian police would be monitoring the concerts to see whether the artistes would perform hate speech and they also called in the CRTC, an organisation that regulates and polices radio and television airwaves, to ban the musicians' tracks.
Charles Khabouth, CEO of the Kool Haus venue, where Elephant Man's show was scheduled to take place, said, "I am a million per cent against lyrics that promote hatred against gays and lesbians, women, religions and races. Had I been aware of the nature of the lyrics, I wouldn't have allowed the booking."
Khabouth said contracts were signed months ago and he had not been aware of the lyrics.
Neither Elephant Man nor his manager, Q45, could be reached for comments on the situation as their cellphones were turned off.
It is yet to be seen whether Sizzla's appearance would be cancelled as a result of the protests.