The NYPD has requested that Rolling Loud remove several rappers from their lineup at this weekend’s festival days before opening day. According to The FADER and a City of New York Police Department document that has surfaced the net, “The New York City Police Department requests that the below listed individuals be removed from performing at the ‘Rolling Loud Festival’ taking place at Citi Field on Saturday October 12, 2019 and Sunday October 13, 2019, due to public safety concerns.” The letter went on to list Casanova, Pop Smoke, Don Q, Sheff G, and 22GZ.
“The above listed performers have been affiliated with recent acts of violence citywide. The New York City Police Department believes if these individuals are allowed to perform, there will be a higher risk of violence,” the letter concluded.
Casanova took to social media to address him being removed from the festival’s lineup. “I JUST WANNA LIVE. My last felony conviction was 2007. I lost everything I ever loved and I’m STILL losing. So much so that ‘they’ won’t allow me to perform at Rolling Loud NYC on Sunday. It’s unfair and unfortunate that my past, which I’ve dealt with legally and personally, continues to stigmatize me and my career as a recording artist. I’m at war with my past and the scars that they still leave on me everyday. I will continue to fight against biases and advocate for those facing this same issue. I’ll do what I plan to make it up to y’all. In the meantime, you can catch me on my Behind These Scars tour or another Rolling Loud in the future,” he wrote.
Don Q also said in a statement via Instagram, “I love my city and i never been in any gang activities or never had issues at any of my previous shows. I hope the city will wake up and see that canceling me and my fellow NY artists isn’t the solution, we just love what we do and want to perform for our fans.”
Rolling Loud co-founder, Tariq Cherif, announced on Twitter that despite the request for removal, the festival still plans to pay full booking fees and will book the artists for future festival dates in other cities. “I can’t speak on this much but I want everyone to know that we are still paying all of those artists full booking fees AND sending them offers for future Rolling Loud’s in other cities,” he tweeted.
On a positive note, The Shaderoom has exclusively reported that the rappers removed from the festival are in talks to put on their own charity concert in response to the NYPD’s ban.
Check out Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif’s tweet and Casanova’s Instagram post below.