Rolling Loud music festival is going down in New York City this weekend, but not all acts on the original lineup will make it to Citi Field. A letter from the NYPD to the festival requested that five artists be removed from the lineup due to “public safety concerns”: 22GZ, Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G and Don Q.
The letter states that they have “been affiliated with recent acts of violence citywide,” and that the NYPD believes their presence will lead to “a higher risk of violence.”
Though the letter frames it as a “request,” festival founder and co-owner Tariq Cherif confides that it’s the price they have to pay to remain in NYC another year. “Way more happened behind closed doors,” he tweeted. “If we want RL to return to NYC, we have no choice but to comply. That’s the position we’re in.”
The festival begins today, with headliners Travis Scott, Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP ROCKY, and more.
Thank you my brother. I can’t speak on this much but I want everyone to know that we are still paying all of those artists full booking fees AND sending them offers for future Rolling Loud’s in other cities. https://t.co/HZduF4iXJk
— Tariq (@TariqCherif) October 12, 2019
Trust me I said that and much more. All the public sees is the letter. Way more happened behind closed doors. If we want RL to return to NYC, we have no choice but to comply. That’s the position we’re in. https://t.co/pRqcxPlYrm
— Tariq (@TariqCherif) October 12, 2019
Photo courtesy of Rolling Loud