LGBTQ And The Divide Of Dancehall Music

Since its inception, Dancehall music has held a very strict and consistent disdain for the gay community. A disdain so unyielding, that prominent artists of the genre have dedicated more than enough songs, wholeheartedly condemning the group in no uncertain terms.

Twenty-nine years ago one of Dancehall’s biggest names, Shabba Ranks, told British talk show The Word that “gay men should be crucified.” Back then, the platform that could have propelled Shabba’s career further, stunted his growth, and stained Dancehall as a plague on the global stage.

As far as many ‘die-hard’ Dancehall devotees are concerned, one should never dare mix the two representations in any conversation, let alone entertain discussions for ‘gay acceptance’ in Dancehall’s domain.

Some researchers have made mention that this deep level of contempt dates back to the years of slavery after being colonized, and the need to exude ultra-masculinity.

Occurrences over some time, however, have indicated that this notion is archaic, monolithic behavior. Let’s now examine the facts.

In 2013, Ian McQuaid for the Guardian reported that “a fresh generation of gay DJs and clubbers have started looking beyond the outdated narrative that dancehall = homophobic.” “Kartel Brown, who is an influential DJ in the London circuit said, “A lot of Jamaicans came to London fleeing Jamaica’s anti-gay laws. They were a bit underwhelmed with what the city’s gay scene had to offer, so they started creating these little private bashment parties in south London. They made the whole culture popular: you had people who were born here talking patois, eating the food, wearing the clothes, boys ‘brucking’ out like they were dancehall queens.”

Again in 2013, and once more in 2020, Billboard reported as part of its Pride Issue, on a PR professional named Shuzzr. The publicist, who has worked with household names, (Tifa, RDX, Vershon, Dovey Magnum, Chozenn, Blak Ryno, Lisa Hyper, Erup, Alkaline and Versatile), mentioned getting death threats and losing clients during a two year period after coming out.

“I made the decision to write an article on my website, and it made the front page of Jamaica’s No. 1 tabloid, The Jamaica Star. I got a lot of support, but for two years after that, I had no clients. Nobody wanted to work with me, nobody wanted to touch me. There were death threats, online harassment, bullying — you name it, I got it. People still refer back to that article and say, “I’d love to work with you, but the fans I have won’t tolerate me bringing you onto the team.” As reported, this back-lash didn’t deter the professional from finding creative ways to succeed in his business as the ‘go-to’ person for getting artists and their brands off the ground.

In January 2019, Tom Faber for Financial Times covered Jamaica’s fourth ‘Pride Week’ held in July, 2018. D’Angel, one of the first female dancehall performers to publicly support the community, gave a memorable stage presentation to the delight of its gay attendees, and left a good impression on the London reporter, on behalf of dancehall. He reports, “Despite dancehall’s popularity on the island, D’Angel’s performance at Pride was still a surprise for many: this is a genre that has long been notorious for the brutal homophobia in its lyrics.” He further reports that “homophobic lyrics have almost disappeared from dancehall.”

These references indicate a fresh outlook on what was once considered taboo. An evolution of the hyper-masculine culture acquired by some Jamaicans, and the shift to further propel dancehall on the international scene.

What is also clearly evident in this moving forward from homophobic lyrics in dancehall, is the support of the females who are practitioners of the craft. The women are notably the ones ushering in this modern mindset. Which here, sets the divide between LGBTQ and dancehall music, which has long been a consistently male-dominated field.

Dancehall artist Tifa has always been outspoken and supportive of her friend and stylist, the late Dexter Pottinger who was publicly gay. Tifa defended Dexter until the very end against bashers of his sexuality.

Yanique Barrett, also known as ‘Curvy Diva’ is one such supporter, as she too performed at a Pride event held on the island in 2019, which also caused tongues to wag, particularly that of her male fans who were against homosexuality.

These facts bring us now to the present day. Just recently, Dancehall star Jada Kingdom and reggae artist Lila Iké, both publicly declared their admiration for women; to mixed comments from fans and colleagues. These public statements signal a brave and unbothered step by the females to further break the stigma that has long polarized Dancehall music.

Are the females in dancehall music levelling up the brand? This question might be met with critical reviews, however, if we are to look at the current situation where Spice is proudly headlining the 2022 Pride Toronto LGBTQ festival, one can hardly beg to differ.

Most male practitioners of the genre have yet to move beyond the stereotyped scorn of homosexuality, or publicly support dancehall insiders who work behind the scenes. The induced signing of the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007, by Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Sizzla, and Capleton might have initiated an improvement.

Buju Banton gave a public statement and apologized to the LGBTQ community, then further vowed to never make ‘hate music’ again. This apology came after several of his international bookings got canceled as a result of the ‘Stop Murder Music’ campaign that started in 1992.

Another major change in the culture’s direction has also seeped into politics; Prime Minister Andrew Holness in 2018 stated. “Firstly, it’s not my business, neither is it my interest. Whatever is in my discretion to distribute politically, a person’s sexuality or sexual orientation is not a criteria for the use of my discretion.” This statement came ten years after former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, told BBC that “homosexuals will find no solace in any cabinet formed by me.”

This now begs the other question-will prominent male figures in dancehall step to the plate by publicly supporting the LQBTQ, or is it enough that most have muted their hate and/or discouraged violent attacks on those of homosexual persuasion? The change is to be noted, however, if Reggae star Sizzla or dancehall producer Foota Hype had their way, this progress would be of no existence.