The management of Trinidadian artiste, Prince Swanny, who was expected to perform at a highly anticipated concert in Dominica on Sunday night, is blaming misinformation for his no show on the island last Friday.
They also say that his human rights were denied by law enforcement agencies.
The hugely popular artiste was expected to arrive in Dominica on Friday, April 7 for a “Dream” Easter Bash concert at the Stadium Forecourt on Easter Sunday night.
Tickets were being sold for up to $300 VIP and $120 at the gate, among other prices.
When the artiste did not show up on the island on Friday as scheduled, rumors began circulating that Prince Swanny could not make it to the shores of Dominica.
Fans flocked to social media to ask what was really going on with many saying they had already bought tickets for the concert.
On Sunday afternoon, Prince Swanny’s management team released a statement in which they extended “a heartfelt and sincere apology to all Dominican fans.”
“Prince Swanny would have arrived in Dominica on Friday 7th April, 2023 in preparation for the “Dreams” concert on Sunday 9th April, 2023,” the statement said. “However, due to *misinformation* received by Dominican immigration, both Prince Swanny and his staff were not allowed to disembark the flight.”
The statement did not specify what the misinformation was but the artiste’s management team said questions need to be answered by the Dominica immigration and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
On Sunday in a Facebook live video, organizers in Dominica described the matter as “unfortunate” and said the show will take place on Easter Monday night instead.
“Just to be clear and upfront on what happened, Prince Swanny landed on Friday as he was supposed to and upon arrival, they had to send him back to Trinidad because the authorities in Trinidad requested him for some questioning regarding an open case they had with him,” one of the organizers said. “This is why Prince Swanny is not on island.”
He said everything was done from Friday night into Saturday to get the artiste to Dominica in time for the show but it was all in vain.
Reports had been circulating on social media that Prince Swanny was arrested upon arrival at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad.
Dominican organizers of the show said that he will be released today (Sunday) and a video will be released.
They are still hopeful that Prince Swanny will make it to Dominica.
“What we have decided to do as team is instead of having the event tonight (Sunday) without Prince Swanny, we are pushing the event back to tomorrow to ensure that Prince Swanny is in Dominica,” one of the organizers said. “There are around three different flight routes that can get him to Dominica on Monday. So whilst he is released today, which is guaranteed to happen based on numerous conversations with his lawyer and his management team, he will be coming to Dominica on Monday. So Dreams Easter Bash which was carded for tonight, will take place on Monday.”
He said the event will start earlier since Tuesday is a work day.
“We will start at 6 pm and carry it up to 2 am…” he said.
The statement from the artiste’s management team also said efforts were made to rectify the matter but they had not borne fruits.
“We know that the fans expect the best from us and throughout all of these challenges we face, our efforts to plead with the oppressive, malicious and envious forces are unfruitful.” it said. “Prince Swanny is being denied his human rights by the law enforcement agencies.”
It went on to say that Prince Swanny is grateful and humbled by the support from his fans.
Prince Swanny, whose real name is Taryll Swan, is one of the leading artistes of the emerging musical sub-genre called TriniBad, which is a fusion of Dancehall and Trap.
He has amassed a huge following on social media with YouTube views surpassing 200 million.
He has been endorsed by musical greats such as Popcaan, Drake, Burna Boy, Bobby Shmurda and Yo Gotti, who have shared his music on their social media platforms.
However, TriniBad has been controversial in the twin-island state since it places focus on the grimy side of crime. Reports indicate that many artistes have been releasing and promoting “gunman” tunes.
TriniBad artistes have been under attack in Trinidad and according to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper from 2020 to the present, seven TriniBad artistes have been killed in separate incidents.
A bunch of old smooth brains in the comments blaming the artisite because they can’t put down their phones and raise good children.
If the reason to refuse him entry was based on a warrant from the TTPS then that’a a no brainer. Especially it’s a sister Caricom authority.
But the point that he should not be allowed to perform here because of his lyrical content is hypocritical hogwash. Not when the very music is played incessantly on local radio stations.
What constitutes good music is very subjective. I may not like what someone else listens to. But the very freedom that allows me to listen to my music of choice, allows that other individual to listen to the music of their choosing.
It may be argued that in the interest of “public order” censorship may sometimes be necessary. But that again is a VERY gray area through which we may not want to venture. Who gets to decide when and which song is not in the interest of “public order?” Just be careful what you wish for.
Such kind of censorships mainly exists in totalitarian states. And usually comes in a package(if you get my drift).
It’s pathetic that the same criminals in high places who brutalized Rastas for smoking Marijuana, who suppressed the clean Music of the of Peter Tosh and Bob Marley are now giving every nasty, immoral, ignorant, abominable illiterates a free pass with their ungodliness in the name of music!!! Why will a group of rogues who call themselves government allow such a bastard in their country
These hypocrites just came from observing lent and easter in the name of christianity, but has quickly surrendered to the devil!! I want to make it clear that I neither smoke, neither I’m I a rasta or christian nor observe any of their religious traditions!!!
Dominica needs to be careful about the type of individuals whom it allows onto its shore.
The world is already in a state of rapid deterioration and I am most certain that there is a decline of moral standards in Dominica also.
Dominica has enough of its own problems and should seek to add anymore.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he was invited to perform by Gucci. She of course, has no moral standards at all. Only money motivates her.
Given the crime wave in Trinidad and which is now battering St. Lucia, disallowing anyone with contaminating and inciting “gunman lyrics” which will further compromise the already toxic social fabric here is a welcome and applausive move. We have more than enough on our hands. I pray that he gets no flight. No apologies.
Man, you are so right. I’m no prude but to promote this ghetto noise at Easter of all times. Some Prince this guy is. Arrested in his own country with a seizable quantity of ganja for trade and again last month. You mean to say that the organisers of the event did not know about that and than to claim that his human rights are violated? How about the poor people kept awake at night by this racket at the stadium, how about their human rights to have a good nights sleep then. I am sure our police were alerted by their colleagues in Trini and for a good reason too. See if the organisers here will refund the money to their punters. Honestly, we trying to develop quality tourism and then you present crap like this. I don’t get it.j
That’s all you worthless can promote to the vulnerable Dominican youth. Foolishness. There are better things to promote that these Foolishness