Rapper scraps gig after Australian visa delay

July 29 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Ja Rule in Australian visa delay

US rap artist and actor Ja Rule was forced to abandon a tour of Australia less than a month before it was set to take place due to delays in the processing of his Australian visa.

The rapper from Queens was booked to perform August 25 at Luna Park in Sydney. The show had to be cancelled after there was a hold up in his visa being processed by the Australian Immigration Department.

Ja Rule has performed in the past in Australia and is hoping that he will get his Australia visa approved in time for the gig’s new date, now set for August 29.

The rapper, infamous for his feud with rival rap star 50 Cents, now has a battle with the Australian authorities to secure his tourist visa.

Ja Rule has a string of convictions on his criminal record that includes a weapons violations charge in 2007. He was also found guilty and fined in 2005 for punching a fan in Canada.

Australian Immigration officials are notoriously tough when allowing stars with criminal records to enter the country.

Ja Rule is best-known for over half a decade of hits, including “Livin’ It Up”, “Wonderful” and “Holla Holla”. He has released six albums.