‘Just know it wasn’t me’: Cardi B addresses cancelled BZR WKND performance
American rapper Cardi B has broken her silence following the cancellation of her highly anticipated performance at BZR WKND in Jamaica, apologising to disappointed fans while insisting that the circumstances surrounding her withdrawal were beyond her control.
In a video message shared on Friday morning, the Bodak Yellow hitmaker said she had initially intended to let the official cancellation statement speak for itself but felt compelled to address the situation amid speculation about the reason for her withdrawal.
“Good morning, I wasn’t really gonna address this because I felt like the statement was enough, but clearly it wasn’t. First things first, I want to really, really apologise to Jamaica and to my Jamaican fans. The reason why I cancelled so late is because when I say I tried my best and I waited and I waited and I waited for things to get in place and together, but it didn’t,” she said.
The Grammy-winning artiste explained that she had been looking forward to visiting the island, particularly as the trip coincided with her birthday celebrations. She revealed that she had made arrangements to extend her stay in Jamaica for a vacation with friends and family following the performance.
“I’m actually sad that I’m not able to go to Jamaica because this weekend is my birthday weekend. So I made plans for next weekend cause after my performance, I was planning to vacation with my friends and my family members for a couple of more days after my performance, which clearly that’s not happening,” she continued.
Cardi B also dismissed speculation that poor ticket sales had prompted the cancellation, claiming that more than 18,000 tickets had been sold for the event.
“For the haters, not the Jamaicans, but for the haters talking about due to low ticket sales, it was never that because I heard there was over 18,000 tickets sold and not only that, but it’s like be for real I’m Cardi B. I’ve done sold out in Saudi Arabia, in Thailand, everywhere around the world and not only was Jamaica was going to pop out for Cardi B, you have people from different Caribbean islands that were going, from The Bahamas to the Dominican Republic to St Lucia…Everybody was going to come see me.”
While the rapper stopped short of revealing the specific issues that led to her withdrawal, she suggested that contractual restrictions prevented her from disclosing further details.
“However, I can’t talk. I can’t talk…contracts, but just know it wasn’t me. Just know. And I’m sorry. I tried my best. I waited this long because I was trying to give chances over and over and over and over and over and over and over again and things didn’t meet to the point that it’s like, it would have just, it’s just, oh, I don’t want to say much,” she said.
Despite the setback, Cardi B expressed hope that she would eventually get the opportunity to perform for her Jamaican fans.
“Just know that I’m sorry. And I really, really, really wish that I could come and perform in Jamaica one day because I really love you guys. I have an amazing fan base out there and I’m sorry. And I love you and sh*t is beyond my hands. I promise y’all,” she ended the video saying.
News of the American rapper’s withdrawal broke on Thursday afternoon, just over a week before her scheduled October 18 performance at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Cardi B had been announced as the headline act for BZR WKND, which is scheduled to run from October 16 to 18.
