Snoop Dogg has canceled the remaining United Kingdom dates for his European One Love Peace tour with Diddy after the British government refused to give the rapper a visa.
“With the late notice of Snoop being denied a visa, time has run out and it is too late reconfigure the show,” according to a spokesperson from Snoop‘s camp. “Credible behind the scenes efforts were made to reverse the decision, to no avail.”
Snoop, aka Calvin Broadus, was scheduled to perform in London’s Wembley Arena tonight. Unfortunately, British officials refused to reconsider an earlier ban, which was placed on Snoop after he and his entourage got into a melee with staff and police last year at Heathrow Airport, resulting in numerous arrests.
“P. Diddy and Snoop were incredibly disappointed and devastated by the news,” their press release added. “They really did not want to let fans down this way as the U.K. was a planned highlight of the tour. However, this ultimately was a situation out of their control.”
The tour will roll on with performances March 31 and April 1 at the Point in Dublin.
Jacob Arabov, aka Jacob The Jeweler was arrested in his New York store in June of 2006 on a Detroit issued warrant. The Feds accused him and 16 others of laundering about $270 million in drug profits stemming from an early 90s interstate drug ring operated out of Detroit.
Arabov, mostly known for his music connections and being mentioned in various rap songs, plead not guilty to the charges against him.
Benjamin Brafman, his lawyer, argued that it wouldn’t be fair for him to stand trial with drug-dealing suspects and that it would be too expensive for him to defend himself in Detroit. U.S District Judge Avern Cohn didn’t feel the same way.
“You should prepare yourself for a trial in the Eastern District of Michigan, “ Cohn said.
Arabov, is a Russian immigrant and has also been referred to as the “King of Bling,” and had musicians like the Notorious B.I.G, Madonna, Kanye West and Elton John wear his jewels.
Hip Hop festival “Rock the Bells,” is getting ready to come to the states this summer. Headliners for the tour include acts like Wu-Tang Clan, Rage Against the Machine and Nas. With 15 added dates artists like Cypress Hill, The Roots, Mos Def, EPMD, MF Doom, Pharoahe Monch and Public Enemy who will celebrate their 20 year anniversary.
“I have been blessed to be a part of a lot of big shows, but this year’s festivals aren’t just the biggest or best shows in Hip-Hop, they are some of the most important musical experiences overall,” said Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union, the festival’s sponsor. ” The live Hip-Hop experience is so special because there are just so few happening. I can’t remember the last time this many quality emcees and musicians have ever been gathered to showcase their talents. The summer of 2007 will be remembered as the year that quality Hip-Hop came back.”
The festival starts July 28 in New York and ends in late Aug on the west coast. Tickets are available starting Mar.31 at Ticketmaster.
Reported By: Darryl Gudmundson & Amanda Koger
