Elephant Man has been accused of promoting homophobia

In a city where one in six people is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT), the issue is particularly sensitive, says Cllr Simon Williams.

"If artists incited the murder of black people, the stores would never dream of putting the tracks on sale," he said.

The stores have told him it is not their role to act as censors.

'Paradox' claim

Mr Williams wrote to HMV, Virgin Megastore and MVC about lyrics by artists such as Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel.

"It's wrong to sell music that incites the execution - including hanging and shooting - of gay people," he said.

"I understand the shops don't want to act as censors but we are not talking about mild homophobia - these lyrics are about murdering people."

Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said: "HMV in no way supports or condones any of the homophobic views expressed by various dancehall artists, which we agree are abhorrent and should rightly be challenged.

"However, we are opposed to the practice of censorship .

"Experience also tells us the more you try to proscribe something, the more you paradoxically increase its appeal among the very people you may be seeking to deter or to persuade."

Last month, a row erupted over the nomination of allegedly homophobic artists at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards, which are due to be screened in October.

Reggae stars Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel were asked by organisers to apologise for their anti-gay lyrics but had their nominations withdrawn when they failed to do so.