BANTON SLAMS GAY RIGHTS PROTESTORS

Dancehall star BUJU BANTON has branded gay rights protestors at a New York reggae festival "stupid and ignorant".

The Reggae Carifest on Saturday (Aug 25, 2007) was marred by ill-feeling in the gay community, after artists deemed homophobic - such as Banton and Bounty Killer - were given the green light to appear at the annual spectacle.

But Banton insists his message is not anti-gay - and criticised those who slammed his billing at the event.He tells New York news site NY1, "I would say to them they are ignorant (protesters), they are stupid, even though they proclaim to be intelligent."

According to promoters Team Legendary, performers signed a code of conduct agreeing to refrain from using homophobic lyrics, prior to the event.

Last week, New York hip-hop radio station Power 105.1 withdrew their sponsorship of the event, but parent company Clear Channel declined to give a reason for the decision.