BUSTA RHYMES - RHYMES INFURIATES FANS DOWN UNDER

RHYMES INFURIATES FANS DOWN UNDER

Rapper BUSTA RHYMES infuriated fans in Sydney, Australia on Sunday (24SEP06) when he cancelled his concert at the last minute for the second time in two years. Rhymes, real name TREVOR SMITH JR, reportedly had his representatives demand more money, business class airfare for the rapper's entire entourage and five-star accommodation. The promoter, PDA Touring, issued a statement today (28SEP06) saying that "outrageous demands on the eve of the departure by Busta Rhymes' management" prompted the concert to be cancelled. Industry sources tell the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the rapper never intended to perform in Sydney, because according to his official website he was scheduled to perform in the US on 2 October (06), the night after his scheduled show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. During his tour in 2004, Rhymes failed to take the stage for his concert after some of his entourage were detained at Sydney Airport for several hours because of immigration issues. He gave no explanation and left Australia the next day. While fans will receive a full refund, the cancellation is the latest of several hip-hop tours to fall through at the last minute due over-the-top demands by the artist's managers.