Jamaican reggae/dancehall artist Sean Paul will not be performing at Rotorua's Raggamuffin festival this weekend.
With less than a week before Raggamuffin 2011 opens at the Rotorua International Stadium, concert promoters have announced that Paul will no longer be part of the line-up.
Paul will not be replaced, but the remaining major
acts will play extended sets.
The line-up now features international artists Mary J Blige, Jimmy Cliff, Maxi Priest, The Original Wailers and Ky-Mani Marley. Kiwi musicians include Che Fu and the Krates, Nesian Mystik, Sons of Zion and 1814. Che Fu and the Krates replaced Salmonella Dub who were part of the original line-up.
Paul was one of the international artists in the line-up for Raggamuffin 2011.
However, he didn't perform at the Australian Raggamuffin festivals in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne last week but promoters told The Daily Post on Thursday he would still be performing in Rotorua. They have since announced he wouldn't be part of the festival.
Promoter Andrew McManus said it was with great regret that he announced Paul would not be performing in Rotorua.
"We are as much disappointed as I know his fans will be," Mr McManus said.
It has been reported that Paul tweeted on his Twitter page after missing the Australian concerts "This msg is 4 all my Australia peeps!!! I'm extremely upset that I couldn't make it 2 raggamuffin. I am sorry".
"4 reasons beyond my control I couldn't make it. Truss mi if thing were diff. AUSI AUSI AUSI RRR".
Mr McManus said even though Paul wouldn't be part of Raggamuffin 2011, the line-up would still be impressive.
"However, we know that Raggamuffin fans will not be disappointed in the event. It remains a huge line-up."
The 10-hour music festival is expected to attract a crowd of 30,000 people and promoters are expecting it to be the best Raggamuffin to date.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
