BY BRIAN BONITTO
Associate Editor —–
BAHAMIAN promoter Damien Thomas is suing Popcaan and his Unruly management for losses incurred from the artiste’s no-show at a concert in Abaco Islands recently. He is also blasting the singjay for unprofessionalism.
Thomas is principal of MVP Entertainment, promoters of the three-date 2018 Unruly Bahamas Tour. Popcaan was booked to appear at Freeport (June 2), Nassau (June 15), and Abaco Islands (June 16). The last gig, however, was not honoured.
“I’m suing for damages… If you’re not doing it (the show), you shouldn’t take the money. He ruined my reputation. I feel disrespected and hurt… I’ve lost a lot of money,” he told Jamaica Observer.
The promoter said Popcaan was prevented from leaving the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau as the matter was reported to the police.
“He was pulled off the flight last Sunday, as he tried to leave without reaching out to me. He was, however, able to leave on the Tuesday instead,” said the promoter. “At the station, he did a video apologizing to his fans.”
Thomas said no criminal charges were pressed as the matter is a civil one.
The promoter explained that three contracts were drawn up for each date, which included promotions by the artiste. However, on his arrival, Thomas said Popcaan declined to do any.
“On the morning of the final show, when I reached out to him, I was told he was having a pool party. Then later in the day I was told he was shopping and had missed the commercial flight… I chartered a 15-seater plane to take him and his entourage to Abaco… He said he didn’t want to go by plane, he wanted a boat. I scheduled two drivers to pick him and his team up and take him to the dock… But he didn’t get on the boat… During all of this, members of his team would come to me and say give me US$1,000 or US$500 and I’ll make the artiste do this and that… That’s extortion!”
Thomas added that during the Nassau gig, a police officer was assaulted by a member of Popcaan’s entourage.
He said Popcaan promised to do a make-up show in September, but he is not interested.
“His management wanted to return a fraction of the money and I said ‘no’… I’ve been in the promotion business for the last 10 years, and I’ve worked with Konshens, Tarrus Riley, Fantan Mojah, Sizzla, Richie Spice, everyone… and I’ve never seen this level of unprofessionalism,” Thomas declared.
Popcaan’s agent, Sharon Williams, confirmed that he did not honor the Abaco gig, but said Thomas is being difficult.
“We offered him back his money and he refused. He has no legal grounds as he had agreed to a make-up show. We exercised our legal rights.”
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