"Capleton, the reggae/dancehall singer who has drawn fire for lyrics that critics say advocate violence against gays and lesbians has been removed from the lineup of the Ragga Muffins festival," reports Mercury News. "The Jamaican-born singer/rapper Capleton has been dropped from the lineup at each of the reggae tour's California stops (which comes to the Fox Theater in Oakland on Feb. 20). READ MORE

Capleton, 42, whose real name is Clifton George Bailey III, has been under increasing fire for his lyrics of late, which have quoted as saying that gays and lesbians should be killed. "Yow, string dem up and hang dem up alive," he sings in one song, according to the group Stop Murder Music, which protests artists that it says malign gay and lesbians. Capleton has had shows canceled in Arcata and San Luis Obispo because of protests against his lyrics, the group says. READ MORE