By Tai Saint Louis
New Orleans fans of The Game were left disappointed over the weekend after the rapper unceremoniously cancelled a scheduled festival appearance, AllHipHop.com has learned.
The multi-platinum artist was listed as one of the headliners of the SAIG Entertainment and International Arts Festival, which took place October 11 and 12, as one of many entertainment-driven initiatives aiming to rebuild New Orleans' ailing cultural economy.
The bill also featured performances by five-time Grammy nominee Tamia, Reggae band Morgan Heritage and R&B singer Lloyd, who is a New Orleans native.
According to the Festival's founder Ernest Kelly, event producers received word that The Game had failed to board a 3:30 pm flight on Sunday (Oct 12) for unknown reasons and that his management had cancelled all New Orleans hotel and transportation accommodations.
"The Game not showing up in New Orleans is disheartening," Kelly said. "This 20-year festival has been the highlight of the community and the funds raised from this festival the past three years have gone toward the rebuilding of The Big Easy. It is a shame The Game disappointed his fans and the City of New Orleans."
At press time, calls to The Game's management staff had not been returned.
In related news, sources have told AllHipHop.com that The Game's sister was shot during a drive by shooting last night (October 14) in Compton.
Sources told AllHipHop.com that the woman sitting on her front porch when she suffered minor injuries after being grazed by a bullet.