Rapper Nas has fired back at promoters of a show near St. John’s, Newfoundland, saying he didn’t play the gig because he was not paid. A near riot ensured, with several arrests being made.
According to reports, Nas was to be paid $47,000 for the show at Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay, which was scheduled to take place on May 28. Other acts were also on the bill, including Canadian hip-hop star Kardinal Offishal, who apparently announced from the stage that Nas would not be appearing.
Nas told an online hip-hop publication that the issue came down to cash.
“After three hours at customs and once I finally get to them I’m told they have an insufficient amount of money,” he said. “Now I don’t usually leave my crib unless all the business is handled first. But I love my fans in Canada so I said cool. But of course it wasn’t cool.”
The promoters of the show – for which VIP tickets cost $100 – were ODC Productions and Lux Entertainment. A partner in ODC says it paid half of Nas’ fee, but that Lux had not paid the other portion. Lux did not respond to requests for comment.
Craigh Cantwell, with ODC Productions, posted a response to the fiasco on his Facebook page.
“I was told by Lux Entertainment that Nas was paid, Lux Entertainment dealt directly with them,” he wrote. “My first meeting with Nas’ management was like 10pm or so (whenever the announcement was made at the stadium) at the Sheraton where we were informed that they were in fact not paid in full.”
