Major streaming platforms have yanked Admiral T’s album over homophobic lyrics. It’s a striking moment for music and activism in the Caribbean.
The 2004 album Mozaïk Kréyòl by the Guadeloupean artist Admiral T has been removed from several music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Deezer. This decision follows a lengthy campaign by queer activists both in Guadeloupe and throughout the Caribbean, targeting the album’s inflammatory lyrics that promote hatred and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
For years, the album, which features the contentious track “Gwadada,” was allowed to be monetized, drawing scrutiny for its lyrics that depict homosexuality as a harmful influence contributing to societal issues like prostitution and unemployment. One notable line states, “In Guadeloupe, there are a lot of queers now. Lots of young people are queers. Because there’s money to be made in male prostitution.” This portrayal has incited backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates.
In recent years, a more accepting dancehall scene has emerged in the Caribbean diaspora, showcasing openly gay artists. However, deeply rooted homophobic attitudes remain prevalent across the region. Between 2024 and 2025, advocacy groups increased public awareness about Admiral T’s ongoing monetization of “Gwadada.” This effort included the French LGBT group Stop Homophobia, which approached the Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music to push for the removal of the song due to its derogatory content.
A petition on the advocacy platform All-Out garnered over 13,000 signatures, urging Admiral T’s record label, Universal Music Group, to eliminate the track from its catalog. The petition highlighted that the issue resonated globally, as people rallied together to ensure that music does not serve as a medium for hate. Following sustained pressure, major platforms took action, leading to the removal of the song and marking a significant victory for those advocating for a music industry that upholds dignity.
The news of the album’s removal sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users expressed sadness over the loss of what they viewed as part of Guadeloupe’s cultural heritage. Karliito-Yolo, a prominent commentator in Caribbean music discourse, described it as “a legendary censored album.”
Admiral T’s influence on Guadeloupean culture is notable, with a public school even named after him in 2013. Yet, the ongoing controversy raises critical questions about the cultural legacy being passed to future generations in Guadeloupe, especially in balancing its French roots with influences from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
