Hip-hop festival Rolling Loud calls off Hong Kong debut amid protests

Rolling Loud is going quiet. The international hip-hop festival, which was set to make its Hong Kong debut on Saturday, has become the latest in a string of entertainment events to pull the plug amid ongoing anti-government protests.

In a statement posted to the festival’s Facebook page this morning, organizers said: “After consulting with security experts, it has been determined that it is not possible to organize the upcoming Rolling Loud Hong Kong edition as we had hoped without endangering the safety and well-being of our fans, artists, and staff.

“While we regret having to cancel the festival, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly and we look forward to bringing the Rolling Loud festival experience to Hong Kong in the future to celebrate the city’s rich culture and buzzing hip-hop scene.”

Wiz Kalifa and Migos were the scheduled headliners for the event, which was to have taken place Oct. 19-20 at the West Kowloon Cultural District.

https://www.facebook.com/rollingloud.hk/photos/a.441298426725959/498842830971518/?type=3&theater

Billed as the world’s largest hip-hop festival, Rolling Loud made its debut in Miami in 2015, and soon expanded to include major events in Los Angeles and New York (where five rappers were removed from the bill this past weekend amid security concerns by NYC police). Hong Kong was to have been part of a much ballyhooed international expansion.

The hip-hop festival joins a string of high-profile sports and entertainment events that have been canceled because of the protests, including a Victoria Harbour swimpop concerts, stand-up comedy shows, a tennis tournament, and award-winning musicals.

Rolling Loud’s Facebook statement said tickets purchased through their ticketing platform would be refunded in full to the credit card or bank in question within 45 days.



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