American rapper, Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr, popularly known as Ja Rule, has been denied entry to the United Kingdom.
This comes ahead of his gig in Cardiff.
The 47-year-old musician was to start his Sunrise tour at the city’s Utilita Arena on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Rule has revealed he was denied entry to the UK due to his criminal record.
He would have performed in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds and Liverpool.
“I’m so devastated – I can’t believe the UK won’t let me in. I’ve spent a half million dollars of my own money to put this tour together only to be denied entry days before my shows.
“This is not fair to me or my fans – these venues are 85% sold out and now I can’t come,” he wrote on social media.
“The UK is one of the few European countries that restricts entry to people with criminal records.
“In general you will likely be denied entry if you have been convicted of a crime punishable by 23 months or more under British law, or if you’ve served more than 12 months in prison,” the post added.
After serving two years on gun possession and tax evasion charges, Jah Rule was released from prison in May 2013.
