U.S. rapper fined for indecent language charges in St. Kitts
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis (AP) – U.S. rapper 50 Cent and a member of his entourage were detained in St. Kitts and Nevis for using “indecent language” during a performance at a music festival, local police said Sunday.
A police statement said 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, and a member of his entourage named Bajar Walter were arrested and charged after a Saturday night performance.
The rapper’s representative Amanda Ruisi said in a statement Sunday Jackson initially was booked only to host the St. Kitts Music Festival.
But then, festival organizers insisted he also perform and “there were profanities used during his performance, “said Ruisi.
She said Jackson will make sure to leave the profanity in the United States during his next trip to the Caribbean country.
Jackson paid a fine and was on his way home Sunday, she added.
Employees in the police department’s press office said they didn’t know what exact words were allegedly used during the performance. Under the country’s Small Charges Act, it is a misdemeanor offense to use profane words in any public place in this former British colony of about 40,000 people.
Police say an offender could be sent to jail depending on how serious the violation is considered to be.
American rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested in St. Kitts for using profanity during a concert in 2003.