Snoop Dogg misses Jhb concert
2006-04-27 22:39
Cape Town - The American hip-hop artist, Snoop Dogg, could not perform according to schedule in Johannesburg on Thursday night after his group was taken into custody at Heathrow airport on the evening before the performance.
He was arrested on the London airport on Wednesday evening with five members of his entourage after they caused a rumpus in a first class lounge at the airport.
Snoop Dogg and his group were refused admission to a British Airways first class lounge because they only had standard economic class tickets and, in terms of regulations, could not use the lounge.
The group started arguing with airways personnel to obtain entry and this led to a scuffle.
The police were called in to assist and the group was taken outside, where they again caused problems in a duty-free shop and allegedly threw whisky bottles around.
A British Airways spokesperson said on Thursday the airline took a serious view of any bad treatment of their personnel and it was thus decided not to allow the group to board the flight to South Africa.
Refund
Snoop Dogg would have been on a direct flight to Johannesburg.
By late Thursday afternoon they were still in police cells and a Scotland Yard spokesperson said they could be held until six in the evening, and possibly for a further 12 hours.
They are being held on charges of unruly behaviour and one of them also on a charge of violent disturbance of the peace.
Snoop Dogg would have performed with several other hip-hop and R&B artists at the Premier Foods People's Concert in Johannesburg.
They are also supposed to appear in Durban on Saturday, April 29 2006, and on Monday, 1st May in Cape Town.
Lara Cohen of the Big Concerts organising group said they were hoping that the group would be able to perform at the concerts in Durban and Cape Town.
"People who decide not to attend the Johannesburg concert, may contact Computicket and will receive a refund.
"People still attending the concert but who are unhappy about the fact that Snoop Dog will not be appearing, could receive a refund of 25%."
Cohen said approximately 30 000 tickets had been sold for Thursday night's peformance at between R138 and R370 per ticket.
According to her there is a contract with the performer, which means that the promoter can recoup some of its money should the artist not appear but that there will be financial losses.
Stars such as Sean Paul, Pharrel Williams and Mario would have performed with other local artist such as Zola, Freshlyground and Loyiso
- (Mandy Rossouw and Pia Nänny)