Mobo Axes 'Homophobic' Stars

Reggae artists Elephant Man and VYBZ KARTEL have lost their nominations at this year's MUSIC OF BLACK ORIGIN (MOBO) following complaints about their homophobic lyrics.

The pair were ordered to apologise after gay rights group Outrage! complained Kartel's BEDROOM SLAUGHTERATION, and Elephant Man's WE NUH LIKE GAY and A NUH FI WI FAULT, both advocated killing homosexuals. Since no written apologies have been received by the MOBO ACADEMY, the Jamaican acts have been axed from the Best Reggae Act category.

A MOBO spokesperson says, "The last thing MOBO want to do is encourage prejudice. MOBO have not yet received written apologies as previously promised. We have therefore alerted the MOBO Academy to this situation and a decision has been taken to withdraw the nominations for Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel. The Mobo Awards do not condone music that clearly incites violence to gay and lesbian people nor do they advocate censorship of artistic expression."

Outrage campaigner BRETT LOCK adds, "The singers' refusal to apologise is indicative of their unrepentant violent homophobia. We applaud the decision of the MOBOs to drop these artists. Incitement to murder should never be rewarded."