US rapper Ja Rule says he’s “devastated” after being denied entry to the UK – days earlier than his tour begins.
The Livin’ It Up star, whose actual identify is Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Senior, is because of kick off his Sunrise tour in Cardiff on Friday earlier than additional gigs in Liverpool, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
But he says he will not be on stage as a result of he’s not allowed to enter the nation on account of his legal document, having beforehand served two years in jail on gun and tax evasion costs.
“I’m so devastated. I can’t believe the UK won’t let me in,” he wrote on X, including he is spent a “half million dollars in production” of his personal cash to place the tour collectively.
“This is not fair to me or my fans, these venues are 85% sold and now I can’t come.”
Tickets for the reveals are nonetheless out there on Ticketmaster – and he mentioned on Wednesday that he made his legal document clear to the promoter beforehand.
He inspired followers to ask for refunds and promised he’ll do “something special” for his UK followers as he’ll “never be able to come across the pond”.
“The UK is one of the few European countries that restricts entry to people with criminal records,” he posted.
“In general, you will likely be denied entry if you have been convicted of a crime punishable by 23 months or more under British law or served more than 12 months in prison.”
After followers tweeted Ticketmaster to ask about refunds, the web site’s customer support staff replied to a number of queries: “Once we receive confirmed info an email will be sent to all customers for the event.”
Sky News has approached Ticketmaster for remark.
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Ja Rule – greatest recognized for hits similar to Always On Time and Thug Lovin’ – was on account of be supported on the tour by Mya, Keri Hilson and Lloyd.
The rapper was beforehand on the centre of controversy over the doomed Fyre Festival, however was cleared of any authorized wrongdoing.
The disastrous 2017 occasion resulted in organiser Billy McFarland going to jail for fraud.
The competition was scheduled to happen within the Bahamas in 2017, however brought about greater than £20m in losses when it was cancelled for insufficient lodging, meals and water.
Source: information.sky.com”