Mobos Overshadowed By Black Music Council Protestors

Last night's (30SEP04) Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards were overshadowed by protestors following the exclusion of Jamaican reggae stars Elephant Man and VYBZ KARTEL.

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 were received by the MOBO ACADEMY, the Jamaican acts were axed from the Best Reggae Act category.

More than 30 protestors from the BLACK MUSIC COUNCIL waved banners, reading "Defend Reggae Music" and "Enraged by OutRage!" and booed the celebrities as they arrived at the ceremony in London's Royal Albert Hall.

The Black Music Council's chairman BLACKER DREAD, argued, "What you are doing is racist to the extreme. You are trying to control people. We want to show that people are not going out there to commit violence just because to a reggae song. If anything, our music calms you down."

But Outrage! spokesman PETER TATCHELL countered, "The MOBOs are to be congratulated for dropping Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel."