so buju gets paid twice, capitol hill is rid of any sort of speech that may offend its constituents, and, still, neumo's is out $15k.

White riot, I wanna riot
White riot, a riot of my own
White riot , I wanna riot
White riot, a riot of my own
Black man gotta lot a problems
But they don't mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
An' everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
An' nobody wants
To go to jail!

would studio seven welcome an "artist" who sang the praises of the KKK?
just one of those double standards people like Charles Mudade won't complain about

would studio seven welcome an "artist" who sang the praises of the KKK?
just one of those double standards people like Charles Mudade won't complain about

kerri writes, "capitol hill is rid of any sort of speech that may offend its constituents"—but i'll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she's tired and typing quickly.

there remains plenty of language on capitol hill that is sure to offend however many of its "constituents." there's been plenty such language here today on the slog, there'll be more of it in tomorrow's stranger, and next month's comeback poster, and on and on and on.

hopefully, what you won't find is language or art celebrating the murder of an entire group of people.

buju banton was (mistakenly? stupidly?) booked at neumo's. when the bookers were made aware of their mistake and/or stupidity, they cancelled the show.

it's an expensive mess for neumo's, but anyone searching for proof of the death of free speech in this mess is nuts (or tired and typing quickly.)

Well, I for one certainly hope that the gay community will fully leverage this opportunity to draw attention to and decry hate speech by protesting the event. Not that it seems likely, but, if there are any gay dollars going their direction, they should be stopped immediately.

For that matter, anyone serious about Civil Rights (for any minority) should withhold financial support from businesses that cut checks to people who advocate for the murder and mutilation of any minority group (including, but not limited to, gays).

The fact that they picked this asshole up with their eyes wide open certainly makes Studio Seven unredeemable. I would encourage thoughtful people to bring this to the attention of their sponsor 107.7 The End.

Dear Ya_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me,

Maybe it's just your name, but I'm never sure if you're kidding or not.

Curious,
David Schmader

i'm thinking about halfway into the buju saga, the actual ygtbkm began to seep through the cynical satirical ygtbkm.

either that, or his satire has reached a point of perfection that it is now undetectable by us mere mortals.

VENOM TRANSFER!

Yeah, who knows what to make of YGBKM.

However, I can attest that the Pope_of_Chili_Town is indeed the Pope of Chili Town.

Yeah, who knows what to make of YGBKM.

However, I can attest that the Pope_of_Chili_Town is indeed the Pope of Chili Town.

Yeah, who knows what to make of YGBKM.

However, I can attest that the Pope_of_Chili_Town is indeed the Pope of Chili Town.

Juh? I am such a spaz..

Dear David,

On this topic, not kidding.

Thanks for asking.

I'm bummed out about Neumo's getting the shaft, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I've seen some amazing rock shows at that place - Guided By Voices, The Brian Jonestown Massacre -to name a few. It's the only big venue in town that sounds great and retains a small club feel.

Neumo's did the right thing and gave up $15 large for the hood - I really hope the hood will do the right thing and show that this was a good business move. Perhaps The Stranger could organize an event so the community can show some love.

David Schmader -- Just thought you might want to clarify one point you made above. When you say: "when the bookers were made aware of their mistake and/or stupidity, they cancelled the show" I am sure you recall that this was not their initial response. It took a day before they changed their minds.

seattle98104

This string, 90% satire free (averaged over time, trending progresively toward sincerity

"It took a day before they changed their minds."

Alas, I suspect this is going to be the more likely reaction. Some "community" this is.

Presumably either S7 pays Neumo's or some sort of transference is made? Cause yeah, Buju Banton getting double paid thanks to his violence-on-gays-music history really doesn't seem like the desirable outcome.

David -

will The Stranger now refuse to take ad money from Studio Seven? If not, wouldn't that be the proper thing to do? And are you returning the money you took from Neumo's to advertise the show originally?

"Alas, I suspect this is going to be the more likely reaction. Some "community" this is."

Alas my ass. I read Neumo's booker's original response to the criticism right here on the slog. The guy said the show could not be cancelled because of the contract, and the artist had recanted, and blah blah blah. So when his "mistake" was pointed out to him, he did not immediately cancel the show. Clearly it was the pressure of bad press that made them cancel, not that it was the right thing to do. Why should I pretend otherwise, like you do, Sean?

Hell K,

What do you want to bet that Neumo's and Studio Seven just worked out a deal where Neumo's will have the event in Studio Seven's space, behind Studio Seven's front, and Studio Seven will get a cut of Neumo's profit. It would be real interesting to see where the receipts lead. Maybe I'm overly cynical, but I've spent enough time in business to earn it. Any one know if tickets are being refunded vs. honored at Studio Seven? (Not that that would be definitive either way.) Follow the money...

Well that's what I thought was so lame about this whole thing: that Buju wrote the song when he was a less-enlightened 15 year-old, he's "recanted", a changed man, etc., then we come to find out it's one of his big moments on stage! For fuck's sake, that kinda repudiates all this talk of him being sincerely sorry about the lyrics doesn't it?

"Why should I pretend otherwise"

Who's pretending? I said Neumo's *did* the right thing. I don't presume to know their motivation. The Capitol Hill market can either reward positive behavior or punish it. Seems like rewarding it is in our best interest. But that would require folks like you to get off your high horse. What do you say, cowboy?

If Sean Nelson, Emiritus weighs in on this I will gladly side with him and recant all I have said.

Fubu Banton is rich, beeeyatch! Thanks Faggots!

What I continue not to understand is why it makes a difference which venue Buju is playing at. Now that he isn't playing on Capitol Hill some people are happy. But the mofo is STILL playing in Seattle... so if they have a problem with him playing on Capitol Hill why don't they have a problem with him playing in SODO?

Taking Dan's advice and stepping away from the keyboard now.

I can understand people caring more if it's at Neumo's than at some club they don't frequent. It's a bit like the difference between your as*hole -ex dating a friend vs. some casual acquintance (or less).

In Kerri Harrop's first comment on this issue, way back on Mudede's original post, she wrote:

"buju's lyrics are, indeed, offensive. so is a lot of other shit. if you don't like it you can choose to not attend, you can choose to not support the artist, and you can choose to protest his actions in whatever way you (legally) see fit."

How is Charles' post not an act of protest? How is what SLOG and other blogs mobilized anything but protest? Even though it happened in the ether, and not in front of Neumo's - complete with signs and chants - this was protest. And it was effective.

This was free speech in action, Kerri, not its muzzling.

Sean -- i don't think Neumo's handing over 15,000 bucks to a biggoted homophobic asshole is behavior I want to reward. And I don't see how that would be in my best interest. Maybe Neumo's best interest, but not mind. OK, cowboy? Patronizing fucker

Classic Seattle... The whole ball of wax... classic!

erostratus: never said it wasn't. why are motherfuckers trying to constantly spin my words their own way in this debate?

no matter. i am tired and now suitably liquored up enough (thanks, red lion in silver lake) to no longer give a good god damn.

all i know is this: german beer is strong, people on capitol hill don't like it when someone sings about something they don't like, and i have an internet crush on both DONE and PATRICK HENRY.

sleep tight, fools that called for the boycott. you accomplished absolutely nothing, other than the fact that the good folks at neumo's have lost $15k that they will be hard pressed to recoup.

Sorry for reiterating, but racsim and homophobia(and sexism) are always treated differently. considering the colleges in the 1990's weren't willing to publish opinions in their newspapers if they questioned affermative action. And 2 years ago people got violent at UW because there was a group the demonstrated against Affermative Action. We are patheticly spineless when it comes down to pointing out that some people get more free speech than others.

It's pretty much an aside in this whole thing, but am I the only one who's dumbfounded that this guy commands a $15,000 booking fee?

Is The Stranger calling for a boycott of the Studio Seven show? Is it only unfashionable to see Buju if he performs on Capitol Hill or should I avoid all his performanced?

Also my Beastie Boys album was called "Don't be a faggot" and I have tons of other rap albums with songs about "kill the faggot". Is The Stranger calling for a boycott of those albums too?

Kerri, as you know because you're a music industry insider. If the violent homophobe is playing somewhere else, Neumoes is probably out of their contract with the fucking creep. So why play dumb?

Wow, three "shout out's" (I assume that is apropos as we are discussing Dancehall) in a row? I hereby absolve the Slog of all of its sins. In the Name of The Bean, The Tomato, and the Guatemalan Insanity Pepper.

"Sean -- i don't think Neumo's handing over 15,000 bucks to a biggoted homophobic asshole is behavior I want to reward."

I see. Well, if your self-righteous voice is representative of the broader community (and I hope it isn't), then it appears Neumo's made two mistakes - 1) booking Bufu and 2) cancelling the show in an attempt to appease a gay community that will not be appeased.

I believe that the situation created around BB show as a strong negative effect on both Reggae Fans and Gay Community. This situation will serve neither of both community...like you said before...follow the money... and you will see that Neumos tickets are still valid at Studio 7....lots of hypocrisis and both community are mislead. For me the real responsable of this situation is Neumos!
Please let this show go on at Sudio 7 and start a real dialog with Reggae Community leaders to resolve those issues inna peacefull way. I believe the needs of both community can be met.

How about the gay community rallying together for a greater purpose than this? Maybe it's time to put our money where our mouth is and stop letting the HRC and other g & l organizations do all the work. Instead of a protest of Neumos or any musical artist, start writing congress and the gov't to make changes that actually will make a difference. One show will not throw off the entire gay movement. Stop bitching and get to work!!!!!

So is it politically correct to use my Buju tickets for the Studio 7 show? As long as Buju doesn't perform on Capitol Hill we don't have to protest, it that right? I just want The Stranger to tell me what's fashionable.

Hang in there, Steven Severin. I've always known you to be an ethical, credible, and reliable guy. I don't envy your position here, but I support you and all the good work you've done.

Are we supposed to boycott Studio 7 or not? I mean as long as Buju isn't performing at Nemos it won't offend The Stranger so it should be cool. Isn't that the point of all this?

So now, after the Buju show, a big crowd of drunk, angry, hopped-up shitheads can pour out and head on up to the Hill for some gaybash fun!

So, wait. Let me get this straight.

Reggae, are you confirming that Neumo's tickets are being honored for the Studio Seven show?

In other words, Neumo's did not cancel the show, but just moved it to another location?

Something stinks here.

It's a win-win situation. We still get to go see Buju perform, and The Stranger got to boycott Nemos. So The Stranger proved to Seattle that homophobes can't perform at Nemos, and Seattle Buju fans get to see a great show.

Anyone else want to meet at Nemos for drinks before the Buju show?

I am not going to say the same things over and over again. I have to say I am tired. no matter what Neumos does, we can't appease everybody.

That said, we had a partner in the show that was happening here. When we said we were cancelling it, he then took the show and moved it to Studio 7. Studio 7 is a Ticketswest outlet so everything was easily switched to them.

At this point we have nothing else to do with this show. We were not in any position to stop our previous partner, management, or booking agent of the show to find alternative options in Seattle.

I honestly don't know how much clearer I can make it.

I have heard that some people want to come down and have drinks tonight to reward, celebrate, and or just get drunk.

We'll be here in the Juju lounge and we welcome you to come on down. We are sure there will be plenty of people that share in your opinion that you can continue this discussion with.

After tomorrow, I will not respond about this again. Thanks for your time and for all the support that you have given us in this difficult few days.

I fail to see why so many peple are hating on the Stranger for its role in this situation. The Stranger brought BB's homophobia to the attention of people who may have supported the artist's music without realizing what the lyrics were really about. The Stranger advocated boycotting this show. Some of its writers took an editorial position (perfectly within their right) that a club on Capitol Hill should not be booking homophobic artists. Consequently, the club cancelled the show (or maybe simply moved the booking to Studio Seven - it'll be interesting to see what that verdict turns out to be).

There hasn't been any infringement on free speech - seems like everyone is speaking as much as they want to on the subject. BB, as a hired performer, cannot claim to have had his right to free speech taken away - he can still stand outside the club and say whatever he wants.

For everyone asking what is fashionable - you're joking, right? Go to the show at S7 if you can feel good about financially supporting this guy's message. Don't go if you can't dance to this music now that you know what BB is really saying. Thank the Stranger for making you more well-equipped to make your decision either way.

I am not going to say the same things over and over again. I have to say I am tired. no matter what Neumos does, we can't appease everybody.

That said, we had a partner in the show that was happening here. When we said we were cancelling it, he then took the show and moved it to Studio 7. Studio 7 is a Ticketswest outlet so everything was easily switched to them.

At this point we have nothing else to do with this show. We were not in any position to stop our previous partner, management, or booking agent of the show to find alternative options in Seattle.

I honestly don't know how much clearer I can make it.

I have heard that some people want to come down and have drinks tonight to reward, celebrate, and or just get drunk.

We'll be here in the Juju lounge and we welcome you to come on down. We are sure there will be plenty of people that share in your opinion that you can continue this discussion with.

After tomorrow, I will not respond about this again. Thanks for your time and for all the support that you have given us in this difficult few days.

"Something stinks here."

That would be the heaping pile of paranoid, half-witted, self-righteous bullshit that's been posted on this topic.

Steve, thanks for clarifying. Get some rest.

David, if you want to go down and protest at Studio Seven, why do you feel you need anyone's permission? If it's out of fear for your safety, well getting your ass kicked by a bunch of dancehall afficionadoes for protesting against a homophobic asshole would certainly tell us a great deal about the tollerance of that community, although I wouldn't advocate either that they do something so blatantly stupid, nor that you put yourself in harms way just to prove a point.

Oh, not to make any unsavory inferences, but anybody know when the last time S7 had a fire inspection?

Not sayin, just sayin - you know what I'm sayin'?

Steve, thanks for clarifying. Get some rest.

David, if you want to go down and protest at Studio Seven, why do you feel you need anyone's permission? If it's out of fear for your safety, well getting your ass kicked by a bunch of dancehall afficionadoes for protesting against a homophobic asshole would certainly tell us a great deal about the tollerance of that community, although I wouldn't advocate either that they do something so blatantly stupid, nor that you put yourself in harms way just to prove a point.

Oh, not to make any unsavory inferences, but anybody know when the last time S7 had a fire inspection?

Not sayin', just sayin' - you know what I'm sayin'?

Aw, crap - accidental double-post, sorry about that.

Just wanted to let you that the crowd attending Buju concert will be a friendly, Rastas, Baba cool dancing, 420 crowd. 99% of the crowd is Gay Friendly and if you come to S7, you ass will be everything but kicked! Seriously. I ear more hatefull speach from you guys than from my fellow Reggae Fans.
Like some say previously GET SERIOUS and concentrate you effort on more important issue like gouvernement staff. Choose your battle...this one is not worsit!

I will be at Neumos at 8 drink a beer and chat with you guys.

Seattle Reggae

This worked out great. Now I know it's OK to go to a Buju show as long as it's not on Capitol Hill.

Everyone wins in this situation - The Stranger looks good for boycotting Nemos - Buju still gets to perform in Seattle anyway.

I just want to hear the latest cool music and have a nice night out. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant for around $75 per that would complement the concert? It'd be great to dine out and then go hear Buju.

Would it benefit Capitol Hill if it seceded from the city of Seattle?

The neighborhood seemingly wants to separate itself from everyone else apparently.

How would the dynamic of The Stranger change, besides having to change their tagline to "Now unincorporated Capitol Hill's only newspaper!"?

I bring this up here only because this is the most "Capitol Hill vs. rest of Seattle" thread I've seen in Slog to date. Usually it's "Seattle But Really Capitol Hill By Proxy vs. Not Seattle" stuff bandied about here.

I still want to know if the publication calling for a boycott of Neumo's will return the advertising dollars Neumo's spent on this show, and will refuse to take the ad dollars of the promoter who is still doing this show and Studio 7? Or is this another case of the Stranger wanting to be righteous in word only, wanting others to take the finacial hit while unwilling to do so themselves?

The disturbing thing about this issue lies completely with the Stranger, and how they profit from what the criticize. The Stranger has become as fake as the christian right.

Jose, if you know anything about newspapers, you would know that the business side and the editorial side must be separate. Separate managers, separate employees, usually even physically separated work spaces. This maintains the credibility of the news and editorial positions taken by the paper.

I love The Stranger for unpacking this difficult issue. I bought Buju tickets and was looking forward to the concert. Then it turned out to be unfashionable to see Buju on Capitol Hill. How would we have known that if The Stranger hadn't explained it?

The Stranger is morally right to oppose Buju performing on Capitol Hill. What's wrong with The Stranger making money off of being moral? Shouldn't The Stranger be rewarded for taking a stand against Buju?

Just because The Stranger also makes money advertising Buju doesn't make them hypocrites.

Read this carefully and quit being willfully obtuse - As long as Buju doesn't perform at Nemos The Stranger isn't calling for a boycott. It's just that simple. See you at the show?

I know plenty about newspapers, and plenty about how the Stranger works internally. And I know that the writers at the Stranger get paid from ad dollars. If the writers are so righteous, they should demand the paper return the ad money coming from artists so evil they call for their boycott. It would even be proper for Mudede and David to take tat out of their own pay. They definitely had no issue helping take money out of the owners of Neumo's pockets, which is fine, if they are willing to hold themselves to the same standard, which I honestly doubt they or anyone at the Stranger are willing to do.

Steven,

If I have caused you to repeat yourself, I apologize. But thank you for responding. I’m still a little confused though? Much has been made of the $15,000 Neumo’s is out because it dropped the show. But yet Neumo’s partner is continuing with the show at a different venue. One could reasonably assume that relieves Neumo’s of that responsibility. Correct? Also, is Neumo’s still a partner in this venture? And, if so, could I suggest that Neumo’s consider donating any revenues you realize from the show to Lambert House or some other deserving charity? (Revenue, mind you, not profit.) Seems to me that might go some way in expunging Neumo’s record here.

Hey, if you go to the show tonight, will you write here tomorrow and let us know how many people showed up? If any?

The Stranger exists only to make money. So what if they call for a boycott of Buju and then turn around and make money advertising Buju's performance? Sounds like smart business to me. Commercial media isn't pure or innocent. The Capitalist Market will sort all this out.

My guess is both Buju and The Stranger will make tons of money off this controversy. The chumps at Nemos who cancelled the show look sorta weak to me, they were too afraid to stand up to The Stranger I guess.

In the marketplace only the strongest survive. If Nemos had any balls they'd stood out the controversy and had a packed Buju concert.

Now The Stranger gets to make money off Buju and look good calling for a boycott. That's real business smarts. The Stranger won. So what cry me a river!

"...and I have tons of other rap albums with songs about "kill the faggot"."

The Big Daddy law is anti-faggot
That means no
Homosexuality
What's in my pants
Will make you see reality
-"Pimpin' Ain't Easy"

YGBKM, I don't think you understand how such a partnership works. They are partners in booking shows, not in business. All the money the show's gonna make is going to Studio Seven, with a percentage kickback to SS's partner. Severin gets nothing: his role in the partnership only nets him money when the shows happens at HIS place.

the fact that you call him "bufu" shows that you have not fully researched why it is that people hate him so much and why he is boycotted. I vehemently HATE buju banton and wish him to die. He is a DISGUSTING man. I have already put this fact on another blog. Briefly, Banton and a group of men broke into a gay man's studio many years ago and beat him so badly that he was left blind in one eye. The Jamaican courts acquitted him but that man states that banton was the one who did it. This animal has taken gay hatred way past the lyrics only stage. he has acted upon his lyrics and has launched a career built on the blood of a poor gay man who did not deserve the beating that he deserved. Jamaicans are violently homophobic. I lived in a north seattle neighborhood with many of them and was once confronted by one of them. I shattered his nose. anyway, Buju banton and the rest of his jamaican artists should stay in their piss poor country and stay out of the US.

Gomez- You're right, I don't understand how such a partnership works. Or how Neumo's would still owe the $15,000 since the show went on anyway. (Did they owe it to Buju or to the partner that took the show to Studio Seven? was their partner Studio Seven or someone else?) One would think that if they paid the guarantee, that would preclude him from performing elsewhere that night. Whole transaction is confusing to me. But beyond understanding who was paid the $15,000 and why, I would like to know which businesses were involved (your post implies at least 3). I enter into promotional relationships on behalf of my company, often for local music, and would prefer to avoid the parties that were involved in the future. Just trying to understand the transaction.

FIRE INSPECTION?? Check with the FIRE MARSHALL!! The SFD is a patron of Sorts...

Look before speaking!! and further more open your eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve, thanks for clarifying. Get some rest.

David, if you want to go down and protest at Studio Seven, why do you feel you need anyone's permission? If it's out of fear for your safety, well getting your ass kicked by a bunch of dancehall afficionadoes for protesting against a homophobic asshole would certainly tell us a great deal about the tollerance of that community, although I wouldn't advocate either that they do something so blatantly stupid, nor that you put yourself in harms way just to prove a point.

Oh, not to make any unsavory inferences, but anybody know when the last time S7 had a fire inspection?

Not sayin', just sayin' - you know what I'm sayin'?

Posted by: COMTE | September 27, 2006 11:12 AM

FIRE INSPECTION?? Check with the FIRE MARSHALL!! The SFD is a patron of Sorts...

Look before speaking!! and further more open your eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve, thanks for clarifying. Get some rest.

David, if you want to go down and protest at Studio Seven, why do you feel you need anyone's permission? If it's out of fear for your safety, well getting your ass kicked by a bunch of dancehall afficionadoes for protesting against a homophobic asshole would certainly tell us a great deal about the tollerance of that community, although I wouldn't advocate either that they do something so blatantly stupid, nor that you put yourself in harms way just to prove a point.

Oh, not to make any unsavory inferences, but anybody know when the last time S7 had a fire inspection?

Not sayin', just sayin' - you know what I'm sayin'?

Posted by: COMTE | September 27, 2006 11:12 AM