BUSTA RHYMES - RHYMES DETAINED AT LONDON AIRPORT

RHYMES DETAINED AT LONDON AIRPORT

Rapper BUSTA RHYMES has been refused entry into the U.K. because of "unresolved convictions" in his native U.S.
The hip-hop heavyweight was detained at London's City Airport on Thursday morning (25Sep08).
Immigration officials tried to put him on an immediate flight out of the country to Amsterdam, Holland but Rhymes' lawyer secured an injunction preventing the move.
The 36-year-old is now being held while officials debate whether to let him enter the U.K.
Rhymes - real name Trevor Smith - has previous convictions for drink driving and assault.
He is due to play for 5,000 fans at a charity gig at the city's prestigious Royal Albert Hall on Friday (26Sep08).
Soul star John Legend and rock bands Feeder, The Automatic and Guillemots are also due to appear at the Orange RockCorps event.
Fellow rapper Ludacris is being flown in from the U.S. as a last-minute replacement if Rhymes is not allowed entry.
Rhymes was allowed into the U.K. to launch the event last month (17Aug08) which saw him helping to pick up litter in London. He also performed at the Midnight Madness basketball event in the city.
Stephen Greene, the co-founder of RockCorps, says he was "shocked at this sequence of events and this treatment of Busta".
He adds, "He has the necessary work-permit and has been in the country twice already this year, so we're a little puzzled that a question mark is now being placed over his ability to enter the country to perform to volunteers."