S. Samuel
A free Drake concert celebrating today's release of his Thank Me Later debut was shut down by New York City police after safety concerns arose.
The event was set to take place at the city’s South Street Seaport area.
The Toronto-born hip-hopper along with boy band Hanson & DJ Ninjasonik, were scheduled to perform a free concert at the South Street Seaport Tuesday evening. But when thousands of people showed up at the “Feels Like Paper” event things got rowdy and chaotic, causing officials to cancel the show. The show was off to a late start, so fans began to throw chairs and get disorderly, witnesses told NBC NewYork. Pictures show tens of thousands of fans packed like sardines at Pier 17, where ambulance and fire trucks were parked ready for disaster. (NBC News)
A detailed account from a mother with her six year-old daughter was given this evening.
“Everybody was pushing up, trying to get to the front,” said Tamika Johnson, 31, of East New York, Brooklyn. Johnson and her 6-year-old daughter were among thousands who turned out for the free show, part of a publicity blitz marking the release of the up-and-coming Canadian rapper’s debut album, “Thank Me Later.” “People in the front started leaving because they were getting crushed,” Johnson said. “Then they started throwing bottles from the balconies.” Fights broke out as rowdies tossed flower pots from the upper floors of the Seaport down onto the crowd on the street, said Jasmine Arroyo, 23, of Brooklyn. (NY Daily News)
Following the show being called off, Drake issued a public statement.
“I am humbled by the crowd that showed up in support of my performance and the release of Thank Me Later,” Drake told MTV News in a statement. “I love performing for my fans, but unfortunately, the show was canceled by the NYPD due to overcrowding, leaving me without the chance to give my fans a real show. I’m thankful for the support that the fans have been giving me … I thank you now.” (MTV)
He also talked about the situation via his Twitter page.
“Police are shutting down the show at South Seaport! I’m on my way anyways…Drizzy Hendrix Woodstock 2010”
“NYPD will not let me go on stage tonight.”
“I am so dissapointed. To all the devoted fans that came out I wish you could have seen what I had planned! Until next time” (Drake’s Twitter)
Check out some footage from the event below:
