Cyrus Langhorne
Rap veteran Yasiin “Mos Def” Bey can finally pack his bags and peace out to South Africa. New reports claim an apology to the country’s government has bought him access to return to the United States.
According to reports, Bey coming clean on using a world passport and apologizing has allowed him to receive a green light from South Africa.
The rapper will hop on a flight Tuesday night after getting arrested in January for using a false passport. The Department of Home Affairs tells TMZ … he was granted a valid passport after his mea culpa. We’re told the government’s dropped its charges. It’s not ALL good — we’re told Mos is now on an “undesirable persons” list with the S.A. gov’t. Mos Def’s attorney, Shaheid Schrueder, tells us they’re looking to appeal that status … but they’re waiting until he’s back on U.S. soil. (TMZ)
Past reports revealed Bey’s refusal to remove his head turban caused a court delay.
The American rapper faces charges of trying to leave the country with a bogus passport. He presented a “world passport,” instead of his American passport and was slapped with the charge. After being turned away, he returned with a loose scarf partially covering his head. The world passport — technically called “World Government of World Citizens” — is not recognized by the country. (TMZ)
Bey officially announced his retirement a few months ago following a run-in with overseas law enforcement.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/689656721992585216
“I just wanna go home – the state of South Africa has interfered with my right to move but to even fulfill my professional obligations unnecessarily and that’s fine. We don’t have to be enemies and we don’t have to be friends either. My family and I are prepared immediately to make whatever move that we need to make outside of this state, never to return to this state again – I’m retiring from the music recording industry that’s currently assembled today and from Hollywood immediately. I will be releasing my final album this year and that’s that. Peace to all, fear none, thank everyone for their time. Much success to you even if you wish the opposite like Nas said – I ain’t no threat or hazard to nobody. I really try to mind my business.” (Soundcloud)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/242841055″ params=”color=ff5500″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
In January 2016, a passport problem landed the rap veteran in police custody.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) has charged him with usage of fraudulent travel documents. The matter is currently before the courts‚” Home Affairs ministerial spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said via Twitter. (Times Live)
