Labels behind the controversial artists

Record company bosses in the row over homophobic reggae lyrics today faced renewed calls to ditch their acts.

Three main British labels were identified as having recently released tracks by notorious performers including Beenie Man, Sizzla and Vybz Kartel. They are Virgin Records, reggae specialist Greensleeves and the independent VP Records.

Gay rights group Outrage! called on the performers' labels to drop them or issue an apology denouncing their homophobia.

Mobo awards founder Kanya King, who excluded both Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man from this year's event, says she had hoped for a statement from both artists' labels distancing themselves from any homophobic lyrics. She said: "We thought everybody has the opportunity to change, but they never came up with those statements and we made the decision to withdraw them."

Act: Beenie Man.

Label: Virgin Records.

Behind the label: £2bn conglomerate EMI.

Value of the label: Made £20 million profit last year.

What they say: "We have released Beenie Man's last three records but nothing we've released has got any homophobic content."

Act: Vybz Kartel.

Label: Greensleeves.

Behind the label: began as a record shop in west Ealing in 1975. It is now thriving in Britain and America.

Value of the label: Made £1.5 million profit last year.

What they say: "I am not at liberty to make any comment about that at all."

Acts: T.O.K., Elephant Man, Sizzla, Bounty Killer.

Record Label: VP

Behind the label: founded by reggae pioneers Vincent Chin and his wife Patricia. Now a global brand.

Value of the label: no figures available.

What they say: VP Records (UK) refused to comment.