For some time yesterday, it didn't look like Busta Rhymes was going to be busting any rhymes in the UK. The American rapper was detained at London City Airport on immigration grounds, waiting almost 12 hours before a High Court judge ordered his release.
Rhymes was coming to play a free RockCorps gig in London. Immigration officials refused him entry, however, citing "unresolved convictions" and requested he fly back to Amsterdam.
"We're shocked at this sequence of events and this treatment of Busta," Stephen Greene, a RockCorps rep, told Reuters. "He has the necessary work permit and has been in the country twice already this year, so we're a little puzzled that a question mark is now being placed over his ability to enter the country to perform."
With authorities threatening to deport Rhymes, RockCorps lawyers filed an injunction – keeping him in the country until last night's High Court ruling. In the meantime, they scrambled to find a replacement for Rhymes's Albert Hall slot.
Thankfully, major US rappers seem to be ten-a-penny for the Orange-sponsored charity. They booked Ludacris, according to reports, although it's not clear whether one or both rappers will be performing tonight.
