Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Carey & Others Draw Criticism For Performing Concerts For Libya's Qaddafi Family

Beyoncé performs at Nikkie Beach in St. Barts on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009.

Libya has fallen into a state of civil war, with reports emerging that it's leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi has ordered his loyalists to kill demonstrators on sight, who want him out of power.

That Qaddafi would order such attacks comes as a surprise to nobody. But the thought that some American entertainers have performed for the dictator's family in recent years is drawing loud criticism from many.

A New York Times article says singer Mariah Carey was paid $1 million dollars to perform four songs at a 2009 New Year's Eve party in St Barts for Qaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam.

More recently Usher and Beyonce have been paid hefty sums to perform for the family.

Howie Klein, former president of Reprise Records told Rolling Stone the thought of entertainers performing for "criminals" makes him sick.

"When I saw Beyoncé and Usher and whoever else was out partying with these Libyan criminals … these are people who have stolen tens of billions of dollars from their nation. 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," he said

So the question is where should entertainers draw the line? Should they have a moral responsibility to not take a paycheck from the Qaddafi's or others like them?

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Comment by James Anderson on March 2, 2011 at 2:08pm: LET ME ASK YOU THIS....IF HE FEELS THIS WAY.....WHERE WAS HE WHEN BUSH FLEW SADDAMS FAMILY OUT OF THE COUNTRY A DAY OR 2 AFTER 9/11??? NOW THAT WAS AN INJUSTICE!!! THIS IS OLD NEWS.....FOR GET ABOUT IT......LOL

Comment by Marisa on February 27, 2011 at 11:50pm: It's all about the MONEY!!!!!

Comment by Amuse Me on February 27, 2011 at 9:09pm: IslandgirlNY I'm on your bandwagon

Comment by Incognito on February 27, 2011 at 2:15pm: That Klein dude is just upset he wasn't offered a $mill to do something, like keep his mouth shut. It's lame to spew lies and criticisms about acts that were legal and non-controversial in the past, that today would be illegal or distasteful.
Let's keep it real - all these puppet Dictators where supported by Americans, Israeli, and Europeans for decades in exchange for unfettered access to Oil, and to counter-balance Iran's growing influence. I'll end my Middle-east lesson there, suffice to say this goes into my growing b/s pile - which has gotten so big, I need a new dump site for it...

Comment by martymar on February 27, 2011 at 10:45am: that was 2009 now its 2011 i do believe take the money and run like hell are on those performers minds today..its over with done with now new shows...move on!

Comment by Ignar4Real on February 27, 2011 at 10:23am: Capitalism gone mad, once more. It is all about the Benjamins. I wonder who profits, when people like those, engage in capitalism, and purchase weapon? Are we living on "blood land", especially , in North and South America? When will we stop believing that we need money? All about the Benjamins. Almost all posts before me, right on. Peace, always.

Comment by LSD on February 27, 2011 at 9:24am: These artist have lost sight of their art, & sell themselves 2 the highest bidder, no matter how much blood is on the check they're receiving! Artist got 2 draw the line somewhere. Morals have been long gone in the record business, especially since record sales R in the toilet!!

These record labels dictate where & who they perform for & they don't care who their artist performs for. It's all about money!! These artist got plenty money 2 feed their families & they can feed many more without a problem.

Artist, especially Black artist have 2 start being their own. They can do the research on the people they may possibly do a gigs for. All these top level artist R slaves 2 a decrepit- indentured servant, dying business called the the "Major Record Labels!!" They honestly don't need them at all anymore & can do alot better without being slaves them...

Artist have become "Soul-less" & they don't stand for a damn thing unless their record label tells them 2 do so...

Comment by michael a. hutchins on February 27, 2011 at 8:49am: It ani't nothing but another white man (qadaafi)
gone wrong in a black mans world (africa) after he done screwed it up!

Think about it what country is Libya located in? and who has helped him out in the past?

Comment by Gail Cadogan on February 27, 2011 at 7:53am: Entertainers do a job just like many of us do. Can we blame the bus driver for carrying the murderer to his destination? And as for Mariah, she's got mouths to feed! And she hasn't made a record in Wha..... Donkey years????? Strupse. Let's go after the people that endorsed these dictators from the start, not the harmless people that work for a living. It's not like Usher invested in his cause!