Acting Minister of Labour and Immigration Shane Gibson revealed to the Bahama Journal Friday that officials within the ministry have refused to approve a work permit application for popular American rapper 50 Cent who was scheduled to perform in Nassau next month.
Minister Gibson believes that the rapper’s performance could have a negative impact on young people.
But at least one radio station today continued to advertise the concert.
Mr. Gibson said the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, had requested almost one hundred armed police officers and private security guards while in Nassau.
“We don’t think that this rapper’s image is a good one for our country and especially our youth,” he said. “We also understand that there is a hit out on this rapper and that could mean harm on Bahamians and we don’t need that.”
Born into the notorious drug dynasty in Queens, New York, 26-year-old Jackson was headed to The Bahamas for a concert that was expected to attract a legion of fans.
The 50 Cent concert, which was planned by Maxx Entertainment in association with “Evonbatiless” Philip Sands, carried the theme, ‘One Love Festival.’ It was being advertised as a family affair.
The concert was scheduled for September 6 at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Other artists included Elephant Man, Trina, Stevie S. and Geno D.
The Bahama Journal attempted to contact the promoters of the concert, but was unsuccessful.
Tickets for the concert have already been sold at various locations throughout New Providence and fliers promoting the event are still posted around the island.
Talk of the 50 Cent concert sparked much controversy.
The Christian Council was expected to meet over the weekend to discuss the matter.
President Bishop Samuel Greene told the Bahama Journal that the meeting was being held to allow each Council member a chance to express his opinion about the matter.
“At the meeting we will discuss all of the ramifications with regards to the artist by the name of 50 Cent coming to The Bahamas,” Bishop Greene said. “Once a decision is taken we will communicate that decision to the nation.”
According to the artists’ biographical sketch, Jackson is a man of the street, intimately familiar with its codes and its violence, but an incredibly intelligent and deliberate man that holds himself with a regal air as if above the pettiness which surrounds him.
“Couple his true-life hardship with his knack for addictive syrupy hooks, it’s clear that 50 Cent has exactly what it takes to ride down the road to the riches and diamond rings,” the bio reads. “50 Cent is real, so he does real things.”
By Yvette Rolle-Major, The Bahama Journal
