Lil Wayne set to perform first UK show in 14 years

Lil Wayne is set to perform his first UK show in almost a decade-and-a-half, after visa issues prevented him from entering the country.

The multi-Grammy winning rapper will perform at the Strawberries & Creem festival in Cambridge in June.

According to festival organisers, Strawberries & Creem will be the Mirror rapper’s only European show in 2022.

In December 2020, Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, admitted possessing a .45 calibre gun and six rounds of ammunition after his private plane was searched on arriving in Miami from California a year prior.

That was despite already being a convicted felon on another weapons charge, but he avoided jail by posting a $250,000 bail. He was later pardoned by then president, Donald Trump.

In 2011, Carter’s visa was cancelled by the UK over his convictions, meaning his tour that year had to be called off.

The event, which has been running since 2014, aims to feature more women on its stages, with artists like Mabel, Ella Mai and Tems all joining the line-up.

It has linked up with the UN’s Safe Spaces Now initiative and has committed to more gender balance across the whole festival, including in those attending.

There are also increased measures to prevent sexual harassment and abuse at the event, which prioritises women’s safety.

Festival co-founder Preye Crooks stated: “As a team, we also wanted to shine a light on some amazing genres and artists that aren’t always celebrated in full at other festivals. We hope we have curated a truly representative and exciting line-up, one that offers an unrivalled experience to our festival goers – covering everything from D&B and dance music, to reggae and R&B.”

Strawberries & Creem takes place between 17 June and 19 June at Childerley Orchard in Cambridge.

Sky News/Joy Onu