A HUGE US music star has been forced to cancel his UK show after being banned from entering the country.
The 47-year-old rapper took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his frustrations as he claimed that he’s not to blame.
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Ja Rule, real name Jeffrey Atkins, says he has been banned from entering the UK due to his criminal record.
The star served two years in prison due to tax evasion charges and gun possession.
If a person’s been convicted of a crime punishable by at least 12 months in prison, they usually won’t be allowed to enter the UK.
Ja Rule wrote on X: “I’m so devastated I can’t believe the UK won’t let me in.
“I’ve spent a half million dollars in production of my own money to put this tour together only to be denied entry DAYS before my shows this is not fair to me or my fans these venues are 85% sold and now I can’t come…”
He added: “My team made it CLEAR to the promoter that I have a criminal record and can’t get in the country…
“The PROMOTER swore this wouldn’t be an issue The PROMOTER started selling tickets y’all love to blame the artist lol… GET YOUR REFUNDS!!!”
Ja Rule was massive artist in the early 2000’s essentially leading the hip-hop genre.
He’d been nominated for four Grammy Awards and has collaborated with other major artists like Ashanti, Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige.
His most memorable hits include, Always on Time, Living It Up and Mesmerize.
Back in 2017, Ja Rule and former concert promoter Billy McFarland organised the disastrous Fyre Festival.
Fyre Festival was the luxury music event that is infamous for never getting off the ground.
In 2018, Billy McFarland, organiser of the event, was convicted of fraud and jailed for six years.
The BBC points out that even though Ja Rule was originally described as a co-organiser of Fyre Festival, he wasn’t arrested or charged in connection with the fraud.
His lawyers said that McFarland used the rapper’s name and connections to help flog the event.
He has successfully sued McFarland for £1.9m.
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