Dancehall star Buju Banton has branded gay rights protesters at a New York reggae festival "stupid and ignorant".

The Reggae Carifest on Saturday 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 criticized those who slammed his billing at the event.

He tells local news site NY1, "I would say to them they are ignorant (protesters), they are stupid, even though they proclaim to be intelligent."

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Gay rights activists in America are urging bosses at concert promotion company ClearChannel to withdraw sponsorship from New York's Power 105.1 after learning anti-gay acts will headline the radio station's upcoming Reggae Carifest concert.

Leaders of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) are outraged that organizers of the show have invited Buju Banton and Bounty Killer to perform at the Randall's Island concert on August 25.

GLAAD officials are also encouraging the media to spotlight these performers' violent, disturbing lyrics and to question ClearChannel's supp...