The island’s entertainment union yesterday backed the decision to allow a controversial reggae superstar to perform in Bermuda.

The Bermuda Entertainment Union said that it “encouraged the public” to support the August concert that will star Buju Banton.

A spokeswoman for the union said that representatives for Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, had made an application to the union in April.

She added: “We were satisfied with the information received, which included confirmation that local artists would be included on the bill, along with payment of the required traveller’s dues.

“We had no problem then and have no problem today with Mr Banton performing here.”

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said on Tuesday that he had decided to allow the popular musician to visit the island.

Banton was released from a US prison last December after serving eight years of a ten-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The musician, 45, has attracted criticism for his song Boom Bye Bye, written when he was 15 and released in 1992, which called for the murder of gay men. He has since removed the song from his repertoire and from sites he has control over and apologised for the “pain” it had caused

Banton is scheduled to appear on August 17 at the National Stadium. Local artists DJ Chubb, Jesse Seymour and Live Wires are also scheduled to perform.