MIAMI: Murder Music Star Buju Banton Busted By Feds For Cocaine Dealing

Notorious "murder music" reggae star Buju Banton, whose hit records include calls for the murder of gay men, has been busted by federal agents in Miami for intent to distribute cocaine.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine. Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac [FL]. While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Banton as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica's poor masses, critics say he's a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals. His song Boom Bye Bye, a dance-hall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.

I guess that puts an end to the campaign to force promoters to cancel Banton's concert tours! (For the next 10-to-20, anyway. Hee haw.) Now let's see what this arrest does for GLAAD's petition to get his 2009 Grammy nomination revoked.