U.S Rapper Lil Wayne has been refused entry into the UK by the Home Office, the Grammy-award winning rapper, was scheduled to headline the Strawberries & Creem festival in Cambridge, this weekend, but was banned from entering the UK, according to the event organisers.
The 39-year-old rapper will now be replaced by rapper and actor Ludacris, who will be the headline performer on Saturday.
In a statement the organisers said: “Due to extreme circumstances beyond our control or influence, we are very sorry to inform you that Lil Wayne is now unable to perform at the festival on Saturday 18th June.
“Lil Wayne has been refused entry to the UK directly by the Home Office in a last minute decision.
“We are deeply disappointed by this sudden and negative ruling.
“We have received very minimal notice, and the timing of the decision is of course upsetting for allinvolved – including Lil Wayne’s fans, as well as the festival team.”
Saturday’s performance was expected to be Lil Wayne’s first show in the UK for 14 years and his highly-anticipated comeback.
In 2011, his UK tour was cancelled after his visa application was rejected by UK border authorities, due to his prior convictions in the US.
Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Cater, pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded, gold-plated handgun in 2021.
He was facing up to 10 years in prison before former US president Donald Trump granted him a pardon during his last day as president.
In a statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Any individual who has been sentenced to a custodial sentence of 12 months or more must have their application refused.”
The Home Office added that all visitors to the UK must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules which includes an assessment of their character and conduct.