Cyrus Langhorne
G.O.O.D. Music’s Yasiin “Mos Def” Bey is making headlines this week for reportedly being turned away from a South African court.
According to reports, the rap veteran’s unwillingness to take off his head turban caused a court delay Tuesday (March 8).
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” /]
According to reports, a passport problem landed the rap veteran in police custody in January.
“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)
Reports claimed the bust went down in mid-January.
“He was arrested yesterday [Thursday] 14 January 2015 at 11am and he is expected to appear in Bellville court today [Friday} on Immigration Act-related charges,” Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said. Mos Def has been living in Cape Town since 2013. (ENCA)
Damn what is going on with Mos….or Yasiin.