Hours after Ja Rule’s Fyre Festival went up in flames, the rapper is speaking out.
Taking to Twitter, Rule York said that the festival’s inadequacy and postponement were out of his control. He also claimed that he was working with his partners on a remedy for those stranded in the Bahamas.
“We are working on getting everyone of the island SAFE that is my immediate concern,” he tweeted. “I will make a statement soon I’m heartbroken at this moment my partners and I wanted this to be an amazing event it was NOT A SCAM as everyone is reporting.”
Despite denying the alleged “scam,” Ja was unsure how the festival turned into such a disaster. “I don’t know how everything went so left but I’m working to make it right by making sure everyone is refunded,” he added. “I truly apologize as this is NOT MY FAULT…but I’m taking responsibility I’m deeply sorry to everyone who was inconvenienced by this.”
Created by Ja Rule and entrepreneur Billy McFarland, Fyre Festival billed itself as a “one-of-a-kind” experience in the Bahamas with headliners G.O.O.D. Music, Major Lazer, and Blink-182. It was also promoted by a bevy of high-profile supermodels, including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.
Despite the star power promises, Fyre was ill-prepared for its first weekend, which was set to kick off today (Apr. 28). Last night, as concertgoers arrived, they reported unappetizing food, uncomfortable lodging, and a festival space that was incomplete, a stark contrast from the luxurious experience they were sold on. Some paid as high as $12,000. Many are still stranded while festival organizers claim that they are coordinating refunds and flights back home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dAi1q6gNwo
Fyre has since addressed the chaos. “Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfill on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests,” read the statement. “At this time, we are working tirelessly to get flights scheduled and get everyone off of Great Exuma and home safely as quickly as we can. We ask that guests currently on-island do not make their own arrangements to get to the airport as we are coordinating those plans. We are working to place everyone on complimentary charters back to Miami today; this process has commenced and the safety and comfort of our guests is our top priority.”