By: Symphony Webb
Rapper Ja Rule and business partner Billy McFarland are in a world of trouble because of what should have been “the culture experience of the decade,” but actually turned out to be the island party from HELL! Attendees spent thousands of dollars and traveled to Exuma Island in the Bahamas for an all-inclusive experience that included food, drinks, music, and concerts, but instead they only encountered disorganization, dysfunction, cheese sandwiches and substandard living conditions.
Ja Rule released a statement via twitter to all of his attendees and fans to reassure them that he was aware of the problem and was in the process of getting everyone to safety.
“We are working right now on getting every one of the island SAFE that is my immediate concern,” 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 I don’t know how everything went so left but I’m working to make it right by making sure everyone is refunded.”
This comment was followed by an apology, but he also insisted that the mishap was not his fault.
“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…”
— Ja Rule (@Ruleyork) April 28, 2017
According to Essence.com, tickets for the event ranged from $4,000 to $250,000, and guests were promised a flight from Miami and performances by Blink 182, Rae Sremmurd, Skepta to G.O.O.D. Music acts Designer, Tyga, and Pusha T. late Friday morning, festival organizers postponed the entire event indefinitely.
“Fyre Festival set out to provide a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience on the islands of Exuma. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we must postpone this experience,” the event organizers said in a statement. “We are working tirelessly to ensure each guest leaves the island safely and ask for everyone’s patience and cooperation as we continue to provide ongoing updates via email and our official social media channels as they become available, including refund information.”
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, who were not an official sponsor of the event, issued a statement on Friday saying they’re “extremely disappointed with the way the events unfolded” and apologized to “all who traveled to our country for this event.”
This isn’t the first poorly-executed business venture from Ja Rule’s business partner, McFarland. The tech entrepreneur previously founded Magnises, an “elite credit” card that had a $250 annual fee for discounted access to exclusive events — but customers claim that the card never delivered on the perks it was advertising.
Hopfully Ja Rule has learned from this and will have better judgement of character when partnering with people.
