Citing safety concerns, officials in Ohio are urging the University of Miami-OH to cancel a scheduled performance by 50 Cent later this month. The show is sold out and city manager Jane Howington fears violence could erupt if individuals show up at the door attempting to buy tickets for the show.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the university said tickets were only made available to students who presented their University of Ohio student identifications. In addition, the university noted they do not expect any problems as a result of the performance.
Howington, however, in a letter to the president of the university obtained by the Associated Press, states: “This event is putting the entire community at risk, an action that I most vehemently oppose,” she continued. “If any problems occur, Miami will be accountable in answering to the community, the student body and their parents.”
Lt. Andrew Powers, a campus safety official, stated he has personally talked with 50’s security detail and police from various sites the rapper has performed in the last month, and he has found little evidence that 50’s presence would incite violence. There have been no other reported outbreaks of violence at concerts by the Queens-bred rapper.
Currently, 50 is still scheduled to perform April 23 in Millet Hall, approximately 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati.