Mos Def concert: London rap fans 'furious' after O2 Forum gig cancelled at last minute

Cancelled: Mos Def is thought to be stuck in Cape Town
Ennio Leanza/EPA
Tom Powell14 October 2016

Hundreds of partygoers have been left "fuming" after a concert featuring hip hop legend Mos Def in London tonight was cancelled at the last-minute.

The announcement was made by the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, at 12.20pm, less than eight hours before the gig was due to begin.

It said an “urgent issue” had stopped the American rapper and activist, also known as Yasiin Bey, from flying to London.

He is thought to be unable to leave South Africa due to not having the proper travel documentation. The gig will now take place on Monday, October 24.

Some fans who were travelling from across the county to the event have vented their fury online.

Becky White said she had spent £150 to travel down from Manchester for the night, while Tess Harrison was already en route from Leicester.

Sales manager Ben Miller, 26, who was due to attend the show with a group of eight friends, told the Standard: “My Friday night is in ruins, we had been planning this for so long.

“To cancel on the day and reschedule for a Monday, when the majority of people are working the next day, is very frustrating.

“I am most definitely p****d off,” he added.

Tickets for the night, which cost from £26.75 to £55.75, have been made valid for a rescheduled concert on Monday 24 October.

On its Facebook page, the O2 Forum posted a statement from organisers Soundcrash, saying: “Unfortunately, due to an urgent issue - Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) has not flown to London for tonight’s show at The Forum, so we are extremely disappointed to say this evening’s event is now cancelled.

“All tickets remain valid for a new date on 24th October at The Forum.

“We obviously don’t like passing on news like this, but are hyped about the new date on the 24th.”

New Cross resident Tom Parris, 24, said he had purchased a £30 ticket off a friend who could no longer attend moments before the shock announcement was made.

“To cancel it so last-minute when people will have already booked their transport and sorted out the accommodation is pretty outrageous,” he told the Standard.

“Obviously it is probably out of the promoter’s hands, but there’s no chance I’ll be going on the Monday and I imagine many people will be in the same boat. I'm fuming”

On Twitter, Jo Harris-Cooksley said: “Whaaaaa… not only has tonight’s Mos def gig in London been postponed, but it’s rescheduled for A MONDAY.”

Another, Sumita Sinha, was quick to ask how she could go about getting a refund.

Mos Def, 42, has released four solo albums and is listed as the 14th greatest MC of all time on About.com’s list of the top 50.

He was arrested in Cape Town earlier this year on an immigration documents-related charge.

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