Island Def Jam Records Issues Statement Regarding This Weekend's R. Kelly/Jay-Z Concert Tour

R. Kelly's lack of professionalism and unpredictable behavior has prevented the "Best Of Both Worlds" tour from continuing.

Mr. Kelly has cancelled 3 performances with less than 24 hours’ notice and has delayed multiple shows by hours. On Friday, October 29th at a sold-out Madison Square Garden Show, Mr. Kelly made a statement from the stage claiming members of the audience were waving guns. Jay-Z sees that statement as the equivalent of screaming "fire" in a crowded theater and was unable to continue with someone whose actions could potentially create a dangerous situation. Later that evening, on New York radio station Hot 97, R. Kelly admitted that he didn’t actually see any guns. Jay will not allow his fans and touring personnel to be subjected to an unsafe environment created by his co-headliner. Only the professionalism of Jay-Z and other entertainers, including Usher and Mary J. Blige on Friday prevented a disaster and saved the evening.

In addition, based on his actions on the tour to this point, the statement from R. Kelly's publicist suggesting that Robert was “ready, willing and able” to continue the tour lacks any credibility. In Chicago and Baltimore, R. Kelly was not "ready." In Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Hartford, R. Kelly was not "willing." In St. Louis and New York, R. Kelly was not "able."

Jay-Z would like to thank all of the artists and fans that have supported him at these New York dates: Mary J. Blige, Usher, Mariah Carey, P. Diddy, Redman, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Spliff, Rah Digga, Funkmaster Flex, Black Rob, Doug E. Fresh, TI, Slick Rick, Foxy Brown, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, Kanye West, The Young Gunz, Ja Rule, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip and Pharrell Williams.

New guest stars will be appearing in continuing support of Jay-Z at tonight's final show at Madison Square Garden.

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