Kevin Gates’ upcoming appearance at this weekend’s Voodoo Fest has been cancelled because the Baton Rouge rapper is now in jail.
Voodoo’s Facebook page gave a brief explanation of the situation with a post that reads:
“Unfortunately Kevin Gates is unable to perform at the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience due to an unforeseen incarceration. Keep an eye here & on the Official #VoodooFest App for Schedule updates.”
Gates was sentenced 180 days in jail yesterday after a Florida court found him guilty of battery. The rapper was convicted of kicking a female fan during an August 2015 concert in Lakeland, FL.
Gates admitted to kicking the fan, but the rapper and his attorney argued that the action was a legal act of self-defense under Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law. Evidently, the six-person jury did not agree with that characterization of the altercation, as they rendered a guilty verdict following one day of testimony.
The Polk County, FL judge sentenced Gates to 180 days in jail, with credit for time served, plus fines and court costs, despite the fact that prosecutors requested a sentence of just 60 days.
In any case, there’s currently no word on who–if anyone–will replace Gates at Voodoo Fest. He was scheduled to perform at the festival on Friday before headlining an official after show at the House of Blues on the same night.
Voodoo Fest will take over City Park’s festival grounds this Friday through Sunday. Take a look at the OffBeat’s list of six can’t miss acts here (Gates was not one of them). Tickets for the festival are still on sale.