The Tribune

By Leandra Rolle

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE promoter behind the "Fresh Unwrapped" concert is hoping to bring back famous American rapper 'Lil Durk' to perform for his Bahamian fans in an effort to make amends for the cancelled Christmas event.

The concert was called off after the celebrity rapper was refused entry into the country.

The rapper was initially set to perform in New Providence alongside "JayDaYoungan" on December 28.

Department of Immigration officials have not said why the rapper was refused entry.

However, it is believed the entry refusal stemmed from an ongoing criminal case involving a shooting incident that had occurred in Atlanta earlier this year connected to the rapper..

Speaking to The Tribune on the matter yesterday, Mr Crispin Cleare, owner of Fresh Entertainment Bahamas, said: "We (went) through the proper channels and we applied for work permits for four weeks in advance and we got a call about two weeks saying that we had to go through FIB to get a clearance report.

"(But) when we went there, FIB said that that's not our procedures because it's a personal document and that's between the two agencies… being the immigration and police and so we went back to immigration…

"And fast forward, we received a rejection letter a day before the show, but the artists was already (on his way) and my personal feelings is that immigration is in their rights. We did not expect this to happen, but our intention is to revisit this and bring Lil Durk back."

After hearing news of 'Lil Durk' being forced to leave the country, many fans took to social media to express their disappointment and outrage over the whole ordeal.

One Facebook user wrote: "Jeezy, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and 50 Cent has been here and all of them is convicted felons and ya'll making noise."

Another Facebook user added: "The Bahamas is a joke.. The laws are a joke to this country. All I'm saying is that America has it together and they are more strict on their laws… if they allowed him to travel and that Is where he was charged when why deny him here!!

After planning the concert for over a month, Mr Cleare said he too was disappointed when the highly anticipated event did not go as planned. But, Mr Cleare said he could not fault immigration officers for doing their job.

"For me, I felt bad that Lil Durk was here with his pregnant girlfriend and they was actually going to stay here until the new years and enjoy the holidays. And I felt bad for that situation along with then disappointing fans, " he added.

"A lot of them were disappointed. Lil Durk was disappointed that he didn't have the opportunity to come here and perform and he was looking forward to it."

Despite this, Mr Cleare maintains the company will work towards getting 'Lil Dirk' to perform for the first time in the country once all matters pertaining to his criminal record has been dealt with.

"Once he goes to court and all the charges are dropped off him, then we will revisit with all these proper documentations and we will re-apply to immigration for a short-term work permit and we are hoping that the documents will be granted," he said.

In the meantime, immigration officials are urging all Bahamians to seek the necessary approvals and to go through the proper channels when bringing international artists for entertainment purposes in the country.

"The Department of Bahamas Immigration regrets to advise having taken the very conscientious decision to deny entrance to an international rapper over this holiday weekend, in accordance with Section 22 (1) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 191 Statute Laws - Commonwealth of The Bahamas," the department said in a statement.

"In spirit of the co-operation, The Department wishes to advise all Citizens seeking to employ/engage the services of non-Bahamian Artists of any genre to perform in this country, to first seek and secure the necessary approvals in Advance of booking such artists, so as to avoid any unnecessary inconveniences to artists and members of the public."

The entertainment company has said ticket sales will be refunded.