Musician Uses Tunes To Blast Gays. Haven't We Already Heard This Song?
Move over Beanie Man and Buju Banton, because there's a new homophobic musical act on the scene. Edwin Nyaruka, called "Potato" or "Tato" will soon release a new album called "The Return," on which he will exhort against all sorts of bad things, like drugs, alcohol and, yes, homosexuality.
It's truly very easy to wag a finger at musicians like Potato or Buju Banton, but let's remember that these men don't exist in a vacuum. One can only sell homophobic music if society at large meets two conditions: first, there's a market for hate; and, two, record companies are willing to back someone who preaches bigotry. Sadly, both of those conditions seem to have been met.
The real challenge isn't just boycotting these musicians, it's about changing the culture in which they exist. How to go about that remains a dicier, case-specific subject, but the U.S. government should definitely take a leading step in ironing out homophobia in allied nations. Yes, even poor countries like Zimbabwe.




What's new here? The homophobic Eminem has been promoted by MTV and VH1 for years. It's been happening in our backyard.
The music industry is extremely homophobic.
Posted by: jason | Sep 29, 2010 9:46:13 AM
Thank you Andrew for WRITING about this. Too often Andy will just report a story like this. The difference is nice, You identify the problem and explain a solution without getting too committal in tone or opinion.
Posted by: Fenrox | Sep 29, 2010 10:07:37 AM
Meh, everyone's entitled to their opinion, as long as it doesn't advocate violence.
Realistically, how many people are going to be listening to/buying this album anyway?
And do we care what those people think?
Posted by: Marlin | Sep 29, 2010 10:19:45 AM
Seriously, who buys a record by a musician who calls himself Potato?
Posted by: RJ | Sep 29, 2010 10:25:32 AM
Homophobia coming from Zimbabwe... eh... surprise? That brain-dead fool Mugabe that has exploited the country with his position of 'leadership' probably paid the creep to make that piece of shit record!
I want to know who the record labels are that are releasing the crap. Anyone have details? I need to write to them and also expose their profits from homophobia wherever I can!
Posted by: CKNJ | Sep 29, 2010 11:41:12 AM
That "leading step" by the US would be a longer, stronger one if this nation's own homophobia, expressed in laws such as DADT and DOMA, were eliminated.
Posted by: RichardR | Sep 29, 2010 12:47:13 PM
There are enough problems right here in America to solve first. Thanks for asking though.
Posted by: anon | Sep 29, 2010 1:44:02 PM