Ja Rule's upcoming UK tour is in jeopardy after he was refused entry into the country due to his past criminal record.
The 47-year-old rapper was due to perform a series of shows across the UK next month, stopping in cities including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool, but hinted days before they were due to start that the concerts would have to be canceled. Because of immigration issues.
In a post on “I've spent a lot of money,” he wrote. I organized this tour with my own money and was denied entry days before the show, this is unfair to me and my fans, these venues are 85% sold and now… I can’t come…”
In a later post, he added: “The UK is one of the few countries in Europe that restricts entry to people with criminal records.”
“Generally, if you have been convicted of an offense punishable by a sentence of 23 months or more under UK law, or if you have received a sentence of 12 months or more, you are likely to be refused entry. ..”
He posted a screenshot of his message on Instagram, and when a fan asked if ticket buyers would be refunded, Ja Rule replied, “Yes, refunds are possible.”
Concerts are scheduled to begin in Cardiff on March 1st, but despite Ja Rule's announcement, the tour has not yet been officially cancelled.
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and firearms charges and served two years in prison.
He was sentenced to 28 months in prison for failing to pay $1.1 million in taxes between 2004 and 2008, as well as a semi-automatic handgun found in his car by police after a gig in New York in 2007. He was sentenced to an additional two years in prison for the possession charge.
He was released in May 2013 after serving two years in prison.