Lil Wayne has been banned from entering the UK by the Home Office shortly before he was due to headline an upcoming festival.
The 39-year-old US rapper was scheduled to appear at Strawberries & Creem Festival in Cambridge this weekend before officials reportedly denied him entry into the country.
According to festival organizers, the Home Office’s decision was last minute and “upsetting for all involved.”
In a statement shared on their website, the festival organizers 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...
“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 all involved – including Lil Wayne’s fans, as well as the festival team.”
A representative for Lil Wayne has been approached by the Evening Standard for comment. Lil Wayne’s slot at the Cambridge festival has been replaced by Ludacris.
The Home Office said it doesn’t comment on individual cases, but in a statement said: “Any individual who has been sentenced to a custodial sentence of 12 months or more must have their application refused.”
In 2010, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to gun possession and was sentenced to a year in prison.
The rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, also admitted to a weapons charge in December 2020 but was later pardoned by Donald Trump ahead of his sentencing.
“I want to thank President Trump for recognizing that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community. I also want to thank @bradfordcohen for working so diligently to secure another chance for me. Love!” Lil Wayne tweeted following his pardon.
The Grammy award-winning musician had previously been forced to cancel a UK tour in 2011 after his visa application was reportedly rejected due to prior convictions.
