When RJ Reynolds dropped Beenie Man from its sponsorship of artists on a national tour, House of Blues announced its cancellation of the concert, citing the company’s policy of eschewing violence and promoting diversity. A few song titles and lyrics will show that House of Blues should do the same with Capleton, who also clearly advocates violence against LGBT people. Below are Capleton’s lyrics in the original Jamaican slang, followed by a U.S. English translation with some notes on the meaning of the language.

From the song “Bun Out Di Chi Chi” [Burn Out The Queer]

Bun out ah chi chi, Blood out ah chi chi
[Burn out a queer, Blood out a queer. “Blood out” is a particularly violent, graphic expression meaning to chop, cut, stab, shoot]

Batty dem ah f--- and ah suck too much pussy
[Queers are f---ing and sucking too much pussy. In Jamaica, “pussy” can refer to oral sex in general, which is also considered sodomy]

Blood out ah chi chi, Blood out ah shitty
[Blood out a queer, Blood out a shit (f---er)]

* * *

From the song “Whoa!”

Sadomite and batty man mi shot up....Whoa
[Sodomite and queer man, I shoot up… Whoa]

* * *

From “Give Har”

Shoulda know seh Capleton bun battyman
[You should know that Capleton burns queers]

Dem same fire apply to di lesbian
[The same fire applies to lesbians]

* * *

The Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (CABN) believes that there is a difference between freedom of cultural and artistic expression on the one hand, and incitement to violence against a whole class of people on the other. Freedom of artistic expression does not cover encouraging others to engage in violence, any more than it covers shouting “fire” in a crowded theatre.

CABN is opposed to censorship, which is the limitation of speech by government. When we encourage PRIVATE individuals, businesses and other organizations to not sponsor someone who advocates violence against us, we are engaging in free speech of our own.

Just as we did with the previously scheduled Beenie Man performance, CABN is asking all persons opposed to the showcasing of pro-murder music to contact the House of Blues and ask them to also cancel the appearance by Capleton at their club. We suggest thanking the venue for cancelling the Beenie Man booking and ask them to act now to cancel Capleton as well.

No one has a “right” to a multi-thousand dollar venue if the owners of that venue choose to not cough up that money. No respectable venue today would hire performers known to encourage physical attacks on Jews, African-Americans or other groups. As Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people, neither will we sit by and remain "fair game" for villification.

CABN is calling on all who oppose violence against LGBT people to immediately contact the House of Blues as follows:

Visit or write the club at: 329 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Phone them at: 312-923-2000

Email them at: chicago (at) hob.com