Gay Groups Decry Buju Banton Grammy Nod

With the Grammy Awards set to air on Sunday, gay rights groups have taken a full-page ad in entertainment newspaper Variety to protest the nomination of Jamaican singer Buju Banton for best reggae album.

The ad, published on Friday, urges Grammy organizers to use the televised ceremony to denounce music "that promotes or celebrates violence against any group of people," according to Reuters.

"Friday's advert, in the form of a letter signed by more than 20 gay, civil rights and anti-violence groups, said that honoring 'an artist such as Buju Banton, honors his extraordinary hateful work,'" reported Reuters.

Banton, an avowed opponent of gay people, is responsible for songs including "Boom, Bye Bye," a 1988 track that promotes shooting or burning gay men to murder them. Objections to his lyrics prompted the cancellation of several of his U.S. concerts last year.

The 36-year-old Banton is currently jailed in Florida as he awaits trial on a cocaine charge. He will not be attending the Grammy Awards.