Rick Ross' performance in Detroit this weekend was abruptly canceled after an incident caused him to be "in fear of his life," according to concert organizers.
The Miami rapper was scheduled to headline the Summer Jamz concert at Chene Park Saturday. According to venue manager The Right Productions, more than 100 people orchestrated a human blockade outside of the service entrance to prevent Rick Ross, real name William Leonard Roberts II, from entering. His security team determined that conditions were too threatening to continue.
The concert was organized by local radio station 107.5. Jay Hicks, program director for the station, broke the news that Ross wouldn't be performing to concert attendees, who responded with boos.
"I'm gonna be real with y'all," Hicks said, as can be heard in videos recordings of the concert. "We had Rick Ross right outside here tonight at about 11 o'clock. When he was pulling up to come into Chene Park, he was met by 100 individuals outside. By 100 individuals outside. We have tried to pull every resource together and ask him to come back. He is in fear of his life. ... And that n***** is not performing here tonight, and he may never come back to Detroit. ... So I'm sorry to say that the concert is over. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. We tried our best."
Detroit rapper Trick Trick and his "Goon Squad" were allegedly responsible for the blockade, according to MLive. The rapper's manager confirmed Trick Trick's involvement to the news outlet. The blockade appears to be a part of his "No Fly Zone" -- the name of a recent single and a supposed list of rappers who don't have ties to Detroit that need to check in with him before performing in the city. An explanation from Trick Trick himself can be heard at minute 1:17 in the song's video, below.
For his part, Rick Ross appeared to take the incident in stride in a Tweet posted following the concert.
“We want to extent our deepest regrets to our patrons who attended Summer Jamz17 who should have been treated to an outstanding performance from Rick Ross," said Right Productions CEO and president Shahida Mausi in a statement. "We have the upmost respect for our guests at Chene Park and they deserve better. ... Acts of intimidation, bullying, threats or violence of any kind that compromises the security and enjoyment of our shows will not be tolerated at Chene Park."
On social media, fans took sides, some knocking Rick Ross and others bashing Trick Trick. Some saw Trick Trick's "No Fly Zone" as a positive for the city; others saw it as immature.
"I need a publicist. Cus YOU (expletive) ARE CRAZY!!! Jeesh!!!” Trick Trick wrote on Twitter.
David Rudolph, a spokesman for Chene Park and The Right Productions, was at the concert, which went off without a hitch for the first few hours and featured performances from artists like B.o.B, A$AP Ferg and Scarface. He painted Trick Trick's alleged intimidation as counter to work to move Detroit forward.
"Why would you do something that reaffirmed to those who want to believe Detroit is a dangerous place?" Rudolph wrote in an email to The Huffington Post. "We are moving in a new direction and people like TrickTrick are not welcomed especially if he is going to intimidate artists wanting to entertain Detroiters!"
Chene Park is giving Summer Jamz ticket holders discounts on select future concerts.
Saturday was not the first time Rick Ross has had trouble in Detroit. When he came through the city in 2012, thieves allegedly broke into his tour bus.
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