Rapper Chief Keef Gets the Shaft From LA’s Fonda Theatre on Heels of Hologram Controversy
The show will instead take place in the parking lot next to the theater, which was bought by Alki David, CEO of the rapper’s label FilmOn
Reid Nakamura | September 18, 2015 @ 10:23 AM
Last Updated: September 18, 2015 @ 1:57 PM
Chicago rapper Chief Keef’s album release concert scheduled for Sept. 18 at Los Angeles’s Fonda Theatre has been canceled.
The show, set to celebrate the release of Chief Keef’s new album “The Bang 3,” will instead take place in the parking lot next to the theater, which was bought by Alki David, CEO of the rapper’s label FilmOn.
Fonda and entertainment company AEG canceled the performance following disputes between theater staffers and representatives for the rapper, whose real name is Keith Cozart.
Chief Keef had filed complaint with LAPD that a member of his team was assaulted by the theater’s staff during a prep meeting on Sept. 16, according to David.
“We strongly dispute the allegations made by Chief Keef’s associates of the events leading to the legal cancellation of his show,” AEG said in a statement to TheWrap. “After a walk through at the venue with Chief Keef’s production team, based on strong concerns for the safety of our employees and the public, we exercised our contractual right and cancelled the show. Subsequently, they filed a police report and therefore no further comment can be made.”
Representatives for the Fonda have not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
“AEG and the Fonda Theater have continued the shameful cycle of blaming hip hop and the artistic expression of urban youth for their own corporate malfeasance,” David said. “This follows on the Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s attempts to silence Keef and scapegoat him for his city’s complete inablity to solve the war-zone like crisis on the South Side, and on the Madison Square Garden Company’s bumbling attempt to back out of a tri-city peace concert to benefit the family of a murdered baby.”
The rapper previously had a concert banned in Chicago and Indiana due to his outstanding criminal warrants. The concert, a hologram show to raise money for the family of a friend of Cozart who was shot and killed.
'Straight Outta Compton' and 9 Other Hip-Hop Movies That Were Ballers at the Box Office (Photos)
"Straight Outta Compton" (2015) The biopic about the rise and fall of N.W.A blazed into box-office history with a $60.2 million debut, the biggest opening ever for an R-rated film in August.
Universal
"8 Mile" (2002) The drama, about a struggling young rapper (Eminem), made $116.8 million domestically at the box office. With a budget of $41 million, this hip-hop movie was a big baller for Universal.
Universal
"Notorious" (2009) Chronicling the life and death of rap icon Notorious B.I.G., the film had a budget of $20 million and made $36.8 million domestically. It starred Jamal Woolard and Derek Luke.
20th Century Fox
"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005) 50 Cent starred in this semi-autobiographical drama about a drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue a career in rap. It made $30 million domestically off a $40 million budget.
Paramount Pictures
"Brown Sugar" (2002) This movie about a magazine editor who falls in love with a hip-hop record exec starred Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan and Mos Def. It made $27.3 million off a budget of $8 million.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Bulworth" (1998) Warren Beatty directs and stars in this drama about a politician who decides to start speaking the truth and using rap music to get his point across. Isaiah Washington and Halle Berry co-starred in the film, which made $26.5 million at the domestic box office. However, it had a $30 million budget.
20th Century Fox
"Hustle & Flow" (2005) Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning and Taraji P. Henson star in the Oscar-winning film about a Memphis pimp who strives to become a successful hip-hop MC. It made $22.2 million domestically on a $2.8 million budget.
Paramount Classics
"CB4" (1993) Chris Rock co-wrote and starred in this "mockumentary" about the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson and Dead Mike, members of the rap group CB4. It grossed $17.9 million at the box office.
Universal
"Beat Street" (1984) The movie centers around an aspiring DJ from the Bronx who tries to expose people to hip-hop. The film grossed $16.6 million at the domestic box office.
Orion Pictures
"Krush Groove" (1985) The drama is based on the early days of Def Jam and follows Russell Walker as he manages up-and-coming acts, which included Run-D.M.C. It starred the real members of Run-D.M.C. and and the Fat Boys. It grossed about $11 million at the box office on a $3 million budget.
Warner Bros.
1 of 11
In honor of the N.W.A biopic’s record opening, TheWrap looks at 9 other films about hip-hop that broke out on the big screen