By Chris Mench • Mar 22, 2019

Buju Banton was released from federal prison in Georgia back in December after serving seven years on drug charges, and now the artist is making a serious change to his catalog as he begins his comeback. Caribbean-focused outlet UrbanIslandz reports that Banton has permanently banned his infamous 1992 song, “Boom Bye Bye,” from his catalog and future performances and removed it from all streaming services he controls.

Buju wrote the song when he was a teenager and hasn’t performed it live since 2007. He’s explained that it was written about a pedophile abusing a young boy in Jamaica, but it’s been widely interpreted as advocating for and glorifying the murder of gay men.

In a statement sent to UrbanIslandz, he elaborated on his reasoning for removing the song:

"In recent days there has been a great deal of press coverage about the song ‘Boom Bye Bye’ from my past which I long ago stopped performing and removed from any platform that I control or have influence over. I recognize that the song has caused much pain to listeners, as well as to my fans, my family and myself. After all the adversity we’ve been through I am determined to put this song in the past and continue moving forward as an artist and as a man. I affirm once and for all that everyone has the right to live as they so choose. In the words of the great Dennis Brown, ‘Love and hate can never be friends.’ I welcome everyone to my shows in a spirit of peace and love. Please come join me in that same spirit."

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