Murder Music Performer Brings Violent Message To Uganda, Sponsored By Pepsi

Jim Burroway

December 6th, 2009

Beenie Man onstange in Kampala, UgandaUganda’s independent newspaper The Daily Monitor reports on Jamaican dancehall and murder music performer Beenie Man’s concert at Kampala’s Kyadondo Rugby Club last Saturday. According to reporter Rafsangan Abbey Tatya:

The King of Dancehall stuck a sword of words into gay people through singing and talking. “In my family, we don\’t have any gay person but if you\’re gay, my brother that\’s not my fault,” he said as he performed his song Mi Nah Wallah, in which he says he would like to cut the throats of all gay men.

George Bush and Bin Laden were also at the receiving end of the Jamaican\’s wrath calling on the audience to say “murderer” as he sang about the pair\’s warfare.

The concert, which also featured about a half-dozen local performers, was sponsored by Pepsi, and appeared to have had a promotional tie-in with Toyota:

The show was sponsored by Pepsi and it doubled as the Crown Beverages\’ Chamuka Keys Finale with three RAV4 winners presented on stage to join 17 previous winners in receiving their car log books.

April 19, 2009 edition of Uganda\'s Red Pepper (Scans via GayUganda. Names and faces obscured by Box Turtle Bulletin. Click to enlarge).

April 19, 2009 edition of Uganda's Red Pepper (Scans via GayUganda. Names and faces obscured by Box Turtle Bulletin. Click to enlarge).

This type of performance is extremely dangerous. This past year, Uganda has experienced a round of public vigilantism, in which accused LGBT people were publicly identified in a major tabloid newspaper and on radio and television. That was followed with reports of arrests, blackmail and extra-judicial torture.

Homosexuality is currently punishable with lifetime imprisonment. A new proposal before Parliament affirms that punishment while expanding the definition of homosexuality. It also provides for the death sentence under certain circumstances and outlaws all advocacy or defense of LGBT people with seven years imprisonment. Failure to report LGBT people to police will result in punishment of three years imprisonment.

UPDATE: Pepsi has responded with this statement:

We are appalled by the performer\’s lyrics and find them repugnant.  Our bottling partner in Uganda was not aware of the performer\’s views and never would have sponsored the concert with this knowledge.  Moving forward, we will work closely with our bottling partners to be more vigilant about the events associated with our brands.”

Lindoro Almaviva

December 6th, 2009

Wow, thank god I am a coke fan, always was and always will be.

Ben

December 6th, 2009

Hey, you guys should boycott Pepsi.

Those scary “Christianists” are boycotting Pepsi as well–for sponsoring a “gay pride” parade in 2009 (among other things).

http://www.boycottpepsico.com/

Rest assured, homosexuals! PepsiCo has its nose firmly installed up your behind. Just tell them to jump, and they’ll say “how high?” Just like every other corporation in America.

Randy

December 6th, 2009

What a teeny, teeny weanie has Mr. Beanie!

GreenEyedLilo

December 7th, 2009

@ Ben: That’s what I like about Pepsi, too! Well, that and it tastes good.

I’ll write an e-mail, but I think it’s simply that they didn’t think too hard about the artist’s lyrical content. (As happens a lot here in the States, too.)

Michelle

December 7th, 2009

I’m surprised that Pepsi are staying so quiet on this, especially after all the work they’ve done to been seen as advocates of LGBT rights.

I suppose the reality is though that now it has occurred there isn’t a lot that they can do to make it any better – they needed to recognise that with an artist like Beenie Man, in a country like Uganda, something like this was bound to happen and distance themselves from it.

Manhattan

December 7th, 2009

@Lindoro Almaviva

Coke does some pretty evil things in South America. The best thing to do is not drink soda at all. It’s bad for you anyway.

HappyBday,TedKnight!

December 7th, 2009

Soda gives you diabetes, obesity, cavities, etc… just not worth it.

Ben

December 7th, 2009

What’s a homosexual (er, I mean…gay guy) to do? Forgive Pepsi for its sponsorship of a singer who fantasizes about slashing homosexuals’ throats, or…buy lots more Pepsi just to undermine the Christianist boycott?

I suppose it boils down to this–do homosexuals hate Christians more than they object to murder? (Murder of homosexuals of course; other murders are always less important) You be the judge.

Priya Lynn

December 7th, 2009

Ben, you keep dodging the question:

Is your heterosexuality only a behavior? Do you stop being a heterosexual when you aren’t having straight sex?

Ben

December 7th, 2009

Hi, Priya Lynn. I’m not dodging anything. Your question is just stupid, that’s all.

There is no equivalency between homosexuality and heterosexuality.

Timothy Kincaid

December 7th, 2009

Hate Christians? Gay folks don’t hate Christians, not even the raging hate-filled, God is angry, destruction is coming, repent sodomite kind.

In fact, gay folks love Christians so much that want to help them. Gays want to share with conservative Christians just how they can find peace and happiness through love.

Ben, just think of how much happier you would be if you weren’t filled with a compulsion to go to gay websites and try and be snarky and condemnatory. Just imagine the peace you would have if your life wasn’t filled with notions that gays hate Christians.

So it is with love and concern that we approach you, Ben. We feel pity for your twisted angry soul and hope that some day you will be able to let go of the bitterness and venom that fills your heart.

Those of us who are religious – including many Christians – are concerned for the condition of your soul and hope that you will repent and be filled anew with joy and peace and love.

B Sanchez

December 7th, 2009

Im not defending Pepsi or anything,nor Toyota but I have a funny suspicion they didn’t even know about how most Jamaicans are homophobic let alone that Mr. Beanie himself would be one as well. Here’s why, do you really think who ever sponsored this (which means had the money and power to) was really insterested in his music. Nope. Total oversight on behalf of the marketing team. I just hope the viewes of reggae artists will change soon.

Priya Lynn

December 7th, 2009

Ben, you just dodged the question again and its clear why – you know your assertion that gayness is just a behavior is dumb. The only difference between gayness and heterosexuality is that gays are same sex attracted instead of opposite sex attracted.

Show some integrity for a change and answer the question Ben:

Is your heterosexuality only a behavior? Do you stop being a heterosexual when you aren’t having straight sex?

Shanna

December 7th, 2009

Time to boycott Pepsi products.

This kind of rhetoric IS dangerous and it appalls me that it is allowed at all, and is even sponsored by such a big corporation.

It’s bad enough in America that people think gay people are inferior and undeserving of the same rights, but to know that in other countries people believe they should be imprisoned or put to death just hurts my very soul.

The saddest part of all – though not all that shocking – is to know what a bloody hand the U.S. has in the mess in Uganda, through bigoted fools hiding behind a hypocritical, self-serving version of Christianity like The Family. I am ashamed of my country for allowing fools like this to govern us.

Ben

December 7th, 2009

Hello Priya Lynn. Homosexuality is a behavior. A homosexual is someone who engages in that kind of behavior.

Heterosexuality is a behavior. A heterosexual is someone who engages in that kind of behavior.

If a person engages regularly in sex with a person of the same sex, he is a homosexual. If he changes his behavior and swears it off, he is not.

I don’t understand the confusion. A three year old could understand this. I’ve answered your question, no?

And for various other commentors…
I’m always amused when you presume to know my religious background. I don’t assume that all supporters of so-called “gay rights” are themselves homosexuals. I know loads of non-homosexuals who join in with your hateful chorus because their teachers told them to, or because they have a homosexual sibling or because it’s the cool thing to do.

Did it ever occur to you that my objection to your bullying tactics could be based in a love for freedom? Or that perhaps I belong to another of the world’s great religions that rejects homosexuality. A religion like…oh, let me see, all of them? Or perhaps that I just have a problem with the specious logic that equates sexual activity with skin color? Maybe I just think homosexuals are the biggest whiners on the planet and somebody needs to tell them to quit their bitching?

Timothy Kincaid

December 7th, 2009

Ben’s argument is based on the presumption is that all persons are equally inclined to engage in sex with the opposite sex and with the same sex. He seems to think it similar to a decision as to what color hat to wear or whether to drive a Prius or a V-8.

While a three year old may not understand the basic flaw in this logic – nor, it would appear can Ben – intelligent adults see through this argument immediately. Because they know that persons are not equally inclined to both opposite and same sex sexual engagement.

The definition of homosexuality is not, as Ben insists, the engagement in specific behaviors, but rather the inclination towards romantic, affectionate, and sexual attraction.

Ben may not like that definition – and he may insist on his own definition. But just as one does not engage with those who define kings to be cabbages, it is pointless to argue with those who insist on their own definitions of words.

Debs

December 7th, 2009

Ben. you are being arrogant and immature.
i suppose i can’t be bisexual and Christian. i suppose you think i can turn it on and off like a light switch.
wrong. it’s part of who I am. i can ether accept it or deny it. now what’s the point in being unhappy and denying it?
for the record you don’t need to have had sex to be LGBT.
‘There is no equivalency between homosexuality and heterosexuality.’ yes there is – LOVE!

back to the matter at hand. Pepsi has recognized that they have done wrong, apologized for it, making decisive action on future promotions. it is the duty of a Christian to forgive and this is what forgiveness is. therefore no need to boycott anything. every big branded company is bound to have a skeleton in their closet. i know Coke bottled tap water and sold it as mineral water in the UK.

CremOfSumYunGuy

December 7th, 2009

Ben is a troll, please ignore it. Paying attention to bridge-dwelling trolls only makes them hungry.

Priya Lynn

December 7th, 2009

Ben, you don’t even believe your own BS. To be heterosexual is to be opposite sex attracted. To be gay is to be same sex attracted. These attractions don’t go away just because one is not having sex. Regardless of one’s behavior they remain heterosexual or gay.

Admit it Ben, you’re just here to be a troll. You don’t love freedom, if you did you’d support the freedom of gays to marry the person they love most.

Ben D'Meovuer

December 7th, 2009

Beenie Weenie’s just a one-hit wonder from 1998 whom no one remembers, anyway. Uganda’s pure poverty compared to where Beenie Weenie Man comes from. They’re all gonna die of AIDS, dysentery, small pox or god knows what else, anyway. Pepsi is still going to make money, regardless, because they’re rich, profiteering corporate gluttons (except for Americans who get their sodas for free through advanced technological and social engineering). Let ’em say what they want.

DRQXX

December 7th, 2009

I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF YOU IF YOUR OFFENDED. Its a concert and we have the right to believe want we want. I believe ill have another pepsi. AM I AGAINST GAYS?
Hell no bring on the F*GS in droves. MY COLON AWAITS. No seriously just let go laugh a little and who the F*CK cares.
IF YOU DONT LIKE THE MUSIC THEN FIND NEW MUSIC.
Maybe I am a heartless f*ck.(if i could be so lucky)

Ill see you all in HELL
/que the evil laugh

Priya Lynn

December 7th, 2009

DRQXX, its CUE, not que you illiterate loser.

mmc2068

December 7th, 2009

I think Ben is a latent or closeted homosexual or bisexual. Having said that, he is also a liar for spreading the misinformation that “all” religions reject homosexuality. They do not. A few that come to mind are obviously the more modern liberal branches of Christianity and Judaism, as well as ancient spiritual traditions like Buddhism, which, as with many other belief systems, does not actually say anything about the subject; then, too, are those who follow Wiccanism and the Native American phenomenon of the Berdache, or two-spirits, men with feminine attributes and warrior women with masculine attributes. It is also worth mentioning that pre-Christian Greeks and Romans did not ban homosexuality, and, indeed, encouraged it in many ways, while the Islamic world did not get around to explicitly rejecting homosexuality until well after the Judeo-Christian colonial period, before which, the hot, sexy, steamy world of the Turkish baths was a delight for men of all persuasions.

I guess Ben’s bigotry extends to which faiths, cultures and time periods he considers legitimate, which is quite sad, considering he would very obviously make a nice bottom for some big hairy bear of a man.

Thorbjørn

December 7th, 2009

Boycott pepsico.. jesus christ some people really are tits and narrow minded..

Bad Christians are people standing in the way of other peoples happiness.

lol

December 7th, 2009

LOL@PIRYA LYNN
It’s queue, not cue you illiterate loser.

LOL@LOL

December 7th, 2009

you idiot. Pirya Lynn was right: cue, as in prompt or initiate, not queue as in a line.

Jessica

December 7th, 2009

Wow. I’ve always rather been a fan of Coke, but now this takes it to an entirely different level.

Lynn David

December 8th, 2009

Eh…. I still like Mtn Dew, though in these latter days it’s of the caffiene-free, diet variety.

Désirée

December 8th, 2009

as long as we are jumping on illiterate grammar, I’m surprised Priya had to wait until the end of the message to jump on the misuse of the (imaginary) word “que” given that the first line contained “your” when “you’re” was the word that should have been used. Illiteracy knows no bounds (but seems more likely in mindless trolls. A coincidence? I think not)

AlmostAsGayAsBen

December 8th, 2009

@mmc2068
Very well said. Most world religions have historically been tolerant.
If people really want to pick at it, the bible also permits child abuse (Proverbs 23:13), sexual abuse of one’s daughter (Deuteronomy 22:13-18), and bars any man with a genital injury from entering his house (Deuteronomy 23:1).

You really have to put it in context and interpret it lovingly. Christianity wasn’t meant to be a chip on your shoulder. It was meant to be love.

Ben, you’re a moron. But Jesus forgives you.

Lorcian

December 8th, 2009

Well, I doubt Pepsi were aware this would happen, they have apologised and that good enough for me.

I’m gay, and I couldn’t care less about this muppits opinions or those in Uganda who Sympathise with him. They mean so little to me, I can’t even articulate it.

I do however feel sorry for the people in Uganda what have to suffer as a result of this mass fear and hatred. They are the people I care about and feel sorry for in all this….

Jesus

December 8th, 2009

No, I do not forgive him. Please do not put words in my mouth.

All right, I do. He’s an idiot and can’t help himself.

Quo vadis?

joe

December 8th, 2009

as an affirmed armchair psychologist, it’s painfully, hilariously obvious that Beanie Man is a Closet Case….that would explain why he wants to “cut the throat of gay men”–particularly the gay men that HE’S HAD SEX WITH!! so they don’t tell anyone, you see.
It reminds me of the last part of “American Beauty” where the Nazi neighbor dude makes a pass at the main character and then kills him because he’s ashamed of how gay he is.

Beanie Man is gay, and he should come out of the closet.

Timothy Kincaid

December 8th, 2009

Readers,

Please don’t make wild and baseless speculation about the orientation of others.

First, it only discredits other more valuable things you have have to contribute.

And second, such accusations are based on the idea that being gay is a Shameful! Secret! and that exposure that someone is gay will reflect negatively on them. I don’t buy into that mindset and I hope our readers don’t either.

Besides, our community really doesn’t need any more folks who are self-loathing or homophobic, so please don’t associate our community with these folk.

Thanks.

kaii

December 8th, 2009

ooohhhh very interesting debate!!!
in my humble opinion i agree with the chap or chapess who side the fella who rubber stamped this concert had no idea who beanie man was and what was likely to come out of his mouth. Pepsi wanted a headliner to draw in the crowds. when you live in a 3rd world country it is easy to fall into the trap of hate, it kind of offers temporary relief from the hell that is your life. messed up hate filled twisted religion piles on more hate and when you are busy hating you sort of forget to call anyone to account for why your country is so hard to get by in.and then TV shows you all the lifestyles and consumer goods you will never have and that can be salt in the wounds.

i think the concert was a bad move and kind of scary that some people feel its okay to express thoes sentiments.

sorry if i rambled, just my opinion no offence intended. but no apologies for my opinion either.

love love

Michelle Millum

December 8th, 2009

Even without the updated apology by Pepsi, this type of article is overly sensationalist, suggesting that Pepsi knew and tacitly approved of the message, or at least didn’t object to it’s being put out. This may be true, or it may not, but it should be obvious to all that sponsorship is determined before a concert, not after, and the company can hardly use the drivel that its sponsored performer comes out with during the performance as a basis for determining said sponsorship. It’s not appropriate to crucify a company for not having the clairvoyance to know that someone they sponsored was going to come out with this offensive bullshit. Boycott Pepsi because Beenieman said something patently offensive and (in my opinion) near evil? No, boycott Beenieman, if you must boycott, and hold Pepsi accountable for further actions now that he has been outed as the bigot that he is, not for inability to see the future.

keith

December 8th, 2009

YAY FOR GAY!

Matt

December 8th, 2009

I’m Christian.

I’ll stand up for homosexuals anywhere and everywhere I get a chance.

The Christians who hate homosexuals embarrass me and other Christians like me (and there are a lot of us).

Derek Sgandurra

December 8th, 2009

Hi Ben, I’m new to the thread, but you seem pretty sharp even if I don’t agree with some of the things you’re saying. I’ve been trying to catch up via previous posts, but could you summarize your actual belief relevant to this topic? I.e., do you believe gays are wrong to be so, and if so is this based on religious ideologies or something else. Just to clarify–since text lacks the syntax of conversation–I am not being condescending. I personally believe that love is love, and is always good. But as someone with a profound respect for opposing views, I like to learn more about them from the more intelligent and rational subscribers.

And Priya, kudos to you for your passion in defending a belief I happen to agree with. However, I would respectfully suggest that perhaps you shouldn’t have called Ben a troll, as I can see no instance prior to which that he resorted to insults. :)

Let the discords continue!

Wilhelm

December 9th, 2009

I think Imma boycott Pepsi now… o_o

j jonah jameson

December 14th, 2009

I’m disappointed. I was actually surprised when I came to this site (via a Stephen Fry tweet) and read a number of comments that completely lack any understanding of reality.

The idea that one can turn their sexuality one-way or another by choice? What is this, the dark ages?

Let’s get this straight (no pun intended!) once and for all, people:

1. Unless you are engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship with an individual, it is none of your damn business which way they lean.

2. Any two people who love each other should have the right to marry.

3. If it’s ok for one person to do something, it’s ok for someone else to do it too.

Hope that’s clear now!

Louby_Lou24

December 14th, 2009

This sort of thing should not be allowed and certainly they should not be given publishity they certainly shouldn’t be aired in any shape way or form. I dissagree with racism or downing anyone or thing is different. They should be ashamed of there nastiness and should not be let away with it.

land of freedom

December 15th, 2009

(coughs up sick). The only people who have this attitude towards gay people are the ones who are gay themselfs, the ones who have this kind of attitude are people who are deepley angry, have realised at some point in thear lifes that they are in the wrong body. At this point when they realise this they have to become the nastiest and horribliist person possible, it’s ‘called playing the game’. Why are you playing the game beeni?? why???

(btw, If your feelining paranoid after beeni dont worry, you need to stop smokeing that weed,)

land of freedom

December 15th, 2009

Also this msg gos out to Uganda, why do you have so many problems? because the vast majourity of you need to grow up. Once you have all grown up and stopped acting like children then the rest of the world will provide for you.

Joe

December 28th, 2009

Ummm..the death penalty only applies for those who knowingly give AIDS to another person. Don’t you think knowingly spreading AIDS should be worthy of death? Giving someone else AIDS knowingly is no different than if you stabbed them with a knife or shot them with a gun. It’s actually worse than that because the at least a stabbing or shooting victim dies quickly. AIDS patients linger for years or decades in agony before they die. The media is making this whole thing out like if they catch anyone being LGBT they are automatically put to death like in Iran which is not the case.

Priya Lynn

December 28th, 2009

No, Joe, the death penalty does not apply only to those who infect another with HIV. It applies to those who are HIV negative and have consensual sex with someone of the same sex more than once.

People like you are always trying to hide that fact because your true goal is to punish and murder innocent gays and to do that you figure you have to disguise the truth until you get the bill passed.

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