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Björk Controversy Heats Up

Björk has responded to the controversy over a couple of "Declare Independence" dedications made at recent concerts in Tokyo and Shanghai—to the freshly-independent Kosovo and still-struggling Tibet, respectively.

"I have been asked by many for a statement after dedicating my song 'Declare Independence' to both Kosovo and Tibet on different occasions," Björk said yesterday. "I am not a politician; I am first and last a musician, and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions … ['Declare Independence'] was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence. Justice!"

That's just the half of it. Björk's scheduled performance at Serbia's EXIT Festival was reportedly cancelled due to the singer's Kosovo remarks. In an email released by Björk's management, EXIT's general manager, Bojan Boäkovi, sets forth an ultimatum: "We hope Björk does not relate to Kosovo on other concerts here in Europe, nor in her interviews, because if she does we need to cancel the concert; if this happens, we may as well look for some other artist." Speaking directly about her Kosovo dedication in Tokyo, Boäkovi also asked Björk to deny saying anything. "This is a very sensitive issue," he wrote in closing.

Oh well; Björk still has the following shows on tap:

• 4/11 Manchester, England - Apollo
• 4/14 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
• 4/17 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
• 4/20 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
• 4/22 Plymouth, England - Plymouth Pavilions
• 4/25 Wolverhampton, England - Civic Hall
• 4/28 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Waterfront
• 5/1 Blackpool, England - Empress Ballroom
• 5/4 Sheffield, England - City Hall
• 7/20 Ferropolis, Germany - Melt! Festival
• 8/7 Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal - Festival Sudoeste TMN

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.05.08