Scotland Yard are re-opening an investigation to see whether dance hall artists like Beenie Man and Bounty Killer broke any laws in releasing records containing homophobic lyrics. The investigation follows high profile campaigning by gay rights groups like Outrage!, which has led to venues cancelling gigs by these artists and to the withdrawal of MOBO nominations for Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel back in Sep.
Outrage! put in an official complaint regarding the lyrics of three artists to UK authorities back in Sep 2003 claiming they incited violence against gay people. However the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the complaint on the grounds of insufficient evidence. That investigation has now been reopened, with the lyrics of eight dance hall stars being investigated.
A police spokesman told reporters this week: "We are awaiting a translation as to the exact content of the lyrics [they are normally written in Jamaican patois]. We will be working with the CPS to determine whether any criminal offence has been committed."
David Allison, a spokesman for Outrage!, said: "Reggae is very popular to a wide cross section of people. We feel that some people will take these lyrics as an indication that it is fine to be violent towards gay people. It is illegal to incite hatred against a minority group - this must stop."