By: F4T1, FEB17 Contributor
Edited by: Main, Editor-in-Chief
The violence in Libya of the past week has put pressure on world leaders to stand up against dictator, Muammar al-Gaddafi, for his brutality against protesters. In reaction, we’ve seen Libyan ambassadors resign, governments express their condemnation for Gaddafi’s massacre on the Libyan people, and his own supporters abandon him. Political figures associated with Gaddafi have criticized him, but we have yet to see any response from celebrities such as Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, who have performed for Qaddafi’s sons in the past.
For a family that seems so passé in most respects, the Gaddafi’s have associated with today’s biggest music celebrities repeatedly. A little over a year ago in St. Bart’s, singer Beyoncé performed for a private New Year’s Eve party hosted by the Colonel’s son; Hannibal Gaddafi. Her performance was for an elite audience including husband Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, Lindsey Lohan, Miranda Kerr and Usher. The paycheck Beyoncé received for this exclusive gig was an estimated two million dollars for about a half of an hour performance.
A private performance wasn’t anything new to the Qaddafi family; only a year earlier Mutassem Gaddafi, older brother of Hannibal, hosted a similar gathering, then inviting music superstar Mariah Carey to perform. Like Beyoncé, Carey was largely compensated for her work, but received a comparatively “smaller” sum of one million dollars for this party.
Colonel Gaddafi has brought in celebrities of his own as well. In 2006, Lionel Richie gave a concert to mark the 20th anniversary of a bombing raid by the US over Libya. The dictator’s sanity is reflected in his choice of song; “Do It To Me One More Time” to remember the fifteen people killed in the bombing.
So what are these musicians thinking now after the recent events unfolding in Libya? Some people believe they should return the money to the Libyan people in the form of aid, as it’s said to be blood money stolen by Gaddafi in the first place. Some ponder whether a public statement expressing their regret for accepting the money is enough.
Many in the music industry have been first to step up and criticize these celebrities. Howie Klein, former president of Reprise Records, said, “What they all have in common is they’re all kleptocracies – they’ve got a family stealing all the money. And for very, very wealthy American and British pop stars to take part in this kind of thing makes me want to puke.”
Despite where the money came from, none of these celebrities have yet made a statement. A representative for Randy Phillips, the AEG Live concert promoter who manages Usher, said he had “No statement.” When asked if he had any comment, Mariah Carey’s Chris Lighty, responded: “None. I mean, you know, nah.” And finally Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé’s manager and father, did not return phone calls.
Why the silence from the some of the most vocal people in the world? These celebrities should understand, if they do not speak out now, they will be forever associated with one of the most evil families of this world. People will remember that and put their money where their mouth is. So we say to you, Ms. Knowles, Usher, and Lionel, take this into consideration and “don’t you ever for a second get to thinking, you’re irreplaceable.”
To demand an explanation from these celebrities or to voice your concerns about their connection to the Gaddafi family:
Tweet @ these celebs to let them know what’s going on: @Beyonce, @MariahCarey, @Lionel_Richie
Call Beyoncé’s Managment, Music World Entertainment, at (713) 772-5175
Call Mariah Carey’s Managment, Britto Agency, at (212) 977-6772
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