Mobo drops gay hate acts

LONDON, UK (MOBO Awards announcement) - Britain's Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) organizers withdrew nominations for Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel because the reggae acts use homophobic lyrics.

The Mobo Academy demanded an apology and removed the Jamaican acts' nominations from the best reggae act category in light of the musicians' anti-gay songs, BBC reported Wednesday.
The last thing Mobo wants to do is encourage prejudice, said an unidentified spokesman.
The singers have not yet sent written apologies to the Mobo Academy, the spokesman said.

OutRage!, a gay rights advocacy group, applauded Mobo's decision. The singers' refusal to apologize is indicative of their unrepentant violent homophobia, said spokesman Brett Lock.

Mobo nominees are selected by an industry panel, with the public voting on the award winners. Kanye West leads this year's nominees, with seven nominations. The ceremony, which is to be hosted by Pharrell Williams, will take place on September 30 in a now secret London venue.
A highlights show will be broadcast on the BBC on October 6.