Beenie Man claims his lyrics are misunderstood

Reggae singer Beenie Man, who has recently been at the center of a controversy between gay activists and dancehall performers whose songs espouse violence against gays and lesbians, says his lyrics have been misunderstood. In an interview with BBC London the singer said, "Jamaican people are taking our lyrics and translating them to people in the wrong way...a 'batty man' is a child molester--anyone in Jamaica can tell you the same thing." Beenie Man has agreed not to sing songs that could be interpreted as homophobic, and his London concerts have been rescheduled following an agreement between gay activists and reggae record labels and concert promoters.