Ja Rule Managed To Book A Headlining Gig At A Musical Festival But Didn’t Show Up For It
As everyone knows, Ja Rule was one of the original architects of the absolutely criminal Fyre Festival–where a bunch of people paid way too much money to party on an island and ended up stranded and starved. Ja Rule was legally cleared of any wrongdoing, and Fyre Festival’s main schemer, Billy McFarland, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud in 2018. It seems like music festivals and Ja Rule really do not mix, but he recently agreed to headline the 90s Nostalgia Music Festival in Toronto, which happened over the weekend. But while Ja Rule did show up to perform during Jennifer Lopez’s set at the Global Citizen Live show in NYC on Saturday night (see: above), he ghosted the 90s Nostalgia Music Festival. He’s not always there when you call, he’s not always on time, he might not even show up at all!
The 90s Nostalgia Music Festival included musical jewels from the 90s like Aqua, Vengaboys, Haddaway, Eiffel 65, and Ja himself. Well, Haddaway, Eiffel 65, and Ja did not show up. But at least Haddaway and Eiffel 65 announced that they were not going to make it. Ja Rule did not, but to be fair to my fellow Ontarians, anytime you miss out on Ja Rule is actually a gift so… consider yourself lucky.
BlogTO says the festival was postponed three times. Ja Rule was booked for Sunday night’s show, along with Ashanti and Ludacris who are also arguably more famous and showed up to perform for the crowd. Fans reported waiting over two hours before they realized that Ja was a no-show. But that didn’t stop the festival from broadcasting pictures of Ja throughout the show:
That awkward moment when you get tix to a @jarule & Ashanti show … & He doesn't show, but they keep showing their pics … #toronto #90snostalgia #flop #fyrefestivalpart2 pic.twitter.com/fSPSYqlfgg
— Kayla_G (@Kayla_G12) September 27, 2021
Ja explained on Twitter that travel restrictions kept him out of the country, but again, Ashanti and Ludacris got it together and made it to the festival. Festivalgoers were also pissed because, as I mentioned above, Ja performed with JLo on Saturday night and actually tweeted about his performance at the SAME TIME he was supposed to be at the 90s Nostalgia Music Festival. One Twitter user called Ja Rule a “scam artist” since he pulled this move before.
I call BS. Why did we wait over 3 hours for you to show up. You could have canceled sooner and let us move on to @Ludacris earlier.
— Mamoun Hammoudah (@TheMamoun) September 27, 2021
Super glad I bought tickets and a hotel room to see you in Toronto tonight.
— Angel Vizza (@ppbyangel) September 27, 2021
Neither will I. He ruined the 90s Nostalgia concert in Toronto tonight.
Makes me appreciate @ashanti and @Ludacris so much more for actually respecting us and giving it their all.😍 special thanks Luda for performing at 12 am on a SUNDAY in the pouring rain! You’re amazing!!!!
— 𝓐𝓶𝔂 𝓢𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓱 (@thatfunnyamy) September 27, 2021
Ja defended himself to one person on Twitter, saying that he loves Toronto and will perform here soon. Please don’t.
Now what other reason wouldn’t I be there to tear down the stage in a city I LOVE??? Stop wit the fuck shit… sending my love to the 6… T dot… I’ll definitely be there soon to give y’all these HITS!!! ❤️🌊 https://t.co/ccCB7lId5c
— Ja Rule (@jarule) September 27, 2021
What hits? His songs with Ashanti? Honestly, Ja should be ashamed for ghosting his fans. I hope that Ja Rule puts in more of an effort at his shifts at the Gyro place than he does with his music career.
Pic: MEGA/WENN