S. Samuel
G.O.O.D. Music artist Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) is reportedly ditching plans to tour in the United States this summer as a result of current immigration complications. #LetMeBackIn
An announcement of Bey’s nixed tour is currently posted onto website Together Boston.
“We regret to inform you that due to immigration / legal issues Yasiin Bey is unable to enter back into the United States and his upcoming U.S. tour has been canceled, including May 15th, Together Boston’s show at The Wilbur Theatre. Individual ticket refunds for this show are available at point of sale.” (Together Boston)
The rap veteran packed his bags and moved to South Africa in 2009.
The 40-year-old Brooklyn-born rapper recently relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, choosing to live there full time after falling in love with the city. (Boston)
Bey previously spoke on why he left his Brooklyn stomping grounds.
“I lived in Brooklyn 33 years of my life. I thought I’d be buried in that place. And around seven years ago, I was like, you know, ‘I gotta go, I gotta leave.’ It’s very hard to leave. And I lived in a lot of places: Central America, North America, Europe for a while. And I came to Cape Town in 2009 and it just hit me. I was like, ‘Yeah.’ I know when a good vibe gets to you. And, you know, I thought about this place every day from when I left.” (Rolling Stone)
p>Along with his name change, Yasiin talked about the importance of hip-hop and fashion preferences in 2012.
“I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so I’ve been going by Yasiin since ’99. At first it was just for friends and family, but now I’m declaring it openly,” he said in an interview. “When my paternal grandfather passed a few years back, I started to wear a shirt and tie every day, like he did. Michael Jackson’s death had a big impact on me, too. Right before the Ecstatic tour in 2009, I began wearing loafers and high-waisted pants. And that’s where my look started. … Hip-hop is the last true folk art. I got involved with Ale et Ange because it represents hip-hop in a way that isn’t pandering. It’s nice to see something that’s elegant, skillful, and raw.” (GQ)
