By Matt Simonette

Staff writer

Dancehall performer Buju Banton has signed a statement agreeing to stop singing songs with homophobic lyrics, according to the Guardian Online.

Banton joined a number of other performers in signing the “Reggae Compassionate Act” formulated by the gay rights group Stop Murder Music.

By signing, Banton agreed to not make homophobic statements in public, release new homophobic songs or authorize the re-release of previous homophobic songs.

One of Banton’s songs, “Boom Bye Bye,” explicitly details the murder of gay men and was allegedly chanted when a gay man was murdered in Banton’s native Jamaica.

The singer has also spoken out against homosexuality and was alleged to have been involved in a gay bashing in Jamaica. Banton was acquitted of the charges.

A Banton concert in Chicago’s Washington Park on July 4 engendered controversy when local black GLBT activists objected to his appearance.

William Greaves, director of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on LGBT Issues, gave credit to members of Sankofa Way Spiritual Services, who called attention to Banton’s July performance.

“I have a feeling this has everything to do with what happened in Chicago,” Greaves said.

Of Banton’s signing the statement, Sankofa’s Rev. Deborah Lake said, “I think it’s a long time coming. I think coming together in Chicago the way we did enabled him to take that step.”

“I hope he will honor his commitment and I expect that he will,” Lake added.