Sizzla Revives Buju Banton’s ‘Boom Bye Bye’: ‘They Afraid To Sing It’

Reggae/Dancehall star Sizzla sought to revive Buju Banton’s three-decade-old song Boom Bye Bye at Saturday’s staging of the retro party “Good Times”, in Kingston.

The controversial number, which blatantly calls for violence against homosexuals has been benched by Banton in recent years because of severe backlash from human rights groups. This, however, did not derail Sizzla who appeared ready to take up the mantle since his compatriot has abandoned it.

“All ah di people dem weh know seh dem love da party yah seh boom bye. Ah who sing da song deh? Mi cyaan sing da song deh? ‘Cause dem fraid fi sing it,” the Freedom Cry singer said.

He then passionately launched into the chorus of the track—replacing the controversial phrase “dem haffi dead” with “dem haffi gweh” (go away).

Banton’s Boom Bye Bye, which was recorded when he was 15, and released when he was 19 years old in 1992, has been criticized for its lyrical content.   It was released on Clifton “Specialist” Dillon’s Flex riddim, which had also featured Mad Cobra’s Flex.

In 2009, Buju, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was forced to cancel a slew of United States gigs over staunch protests from gay rights groups in the country.

According to a Gleaner article published that year, the New York Times and major networks like NBC had reported that promoters in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Dallas, had called off shows that Banton was scheduled to headline.

The article further stated that the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center launched a campaign on Facebook to block the US tour, which was being used to support his Rasta Got Soul album.

Following his release from prison in 2018, the Wanna Be Loved singer made it clear that he was sidestepping the track.  In an official statement in 2019, the Gargamel, empathized with those he had hurt.

“I recognise 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 artiste and as a man,” a part of the statement read.

“I affirm once and for all that everyone has the right to live as they so choose … I welcome everyone to my shows in a spirit of peace and love. Please come join me in that same spirit,” it read.

The entertainer has not performed the single for 15 years when he signed the Reggae Compassionate Act drafted in 2007 as part of the Stop Murder Music campaign, a human-rights groups coalition, that advocates for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans-identified persons.

Meanwhile, Sizzla remains very vocal about his disapproval of homosexuality.  In November last year, he denounced Spice, who headlined Toronto Pride in Canada.