Pa Salieu’s headline Coventry show cancelled by “authorities”, says rapper
The Afrikan Rebel artist was due to perform in his hometown on 27 November.
Pa Salieu claims “authorities” have cancelled his upcoming headline gig in Coventry.
The artist was due to play a hometown show on 27 November as part of his Afrikan Rebel UK tour, which will take him across the country to cities such as Bristol, Manchester, London and Nottingham, with support from frequent collaborator BackRoad Gee.
In a new statement posted to his social media channels yesterday (21 October), the rapper told fans the Coventry show has since been cancelled due to “due to reasons beyond my control”. The Coventry show has also been removed from his Afrikan Rebel tour flyer.
Salieu wrote: “Sadly due to reasons beyond my control, the authorities have decided that I can’t play my Coventry show next month. This after already being cut out of certain City Of Culture activities this year is just too disappointing.”
Continuing, he added: “I feel like I’m being let down by the city I love… Why do they fear us?”
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Representatives for Coventry’s City Of Culture celebrations have responded to Salieu’s claims surrounding his exclusion from its events. Speaking to NME, they said: “Coventry UK City of Culture Trust is involved in an ongoing conversation with representatives of Pa Salieu about his involvement in our programme”.
“Due to the live nature of the investigation at the time we were preparing for our launch event, Coventry Moves, it was decided that it would not be possible for Pa to be involved. However, we hope to work with him in the future as we shape our programme for the rest of our tenure as UK City of Culture.”
Earlier this year, Salieu was charged with wounding with intent following an inquiry into the 2018 murder of Fidel Glasgow during disorder outside Coventry’s Club M nightclub.
The rapper released his Afrikan Rebel EP back in September. The three-track EP – a follow-up to his well-received debut mixtape Send Them to Coventry – featured Tay Iwar, Zlatan and Obongjayar. At the time, Salieu said: “Fundamentally, Afrikan Rebel is about being proud and loud about where you come from”.
