Chief Keef's hologram performance from California to Hammond, Indiana on Saturday night was shut down by the police after a minute of performance, New York Times reports.
The rapper's Craze Fest appearance was arranged to raise money for a toddler and his friend who were killed earlier this month. But the benefit concert was called off by the City Hall, citing that the Keef is "an unacceptable role model," whose music "promotes violence" and performing through hologram "posed a significant public safety risk."
Thomas M. McDermott Jr., who is the Mayor of Hammond, told the New York Times, "I know nothing about Chief Keef. All I'd heard was he has a lot of songs about gangs and shooting people ,a history that's anti-cop, pro-gang and pro-drug use. He's been basically outlawed in Chicago, and we're not going to let you circumvent Mayor Emanuel by going next door."
Mayor McDermott explains that his office is not against rap, they are just being vigilant of "gang violence," adding, "I'm not going to invite someone that might be a threat to public safety."
Mayor's order to shut down the hologram performance cause an outburst in Chief Keef's team.
In a statement released by Alki David, chief executive of Hologram USA, he said that the mayor just shot down an event which can "create positive" effect in a community that is in "desperate need."
David wrote, "Shame on the mayor and police chief of Hammond for shutting down a voice that can create positive change in a community in desperate need. And for taking away money that could have gone to help the victims' families."
"This was a legal event and there was no justification to shut it down besides your glaring disregard for the First Amendment right to free speech," he added. "Mark my words, if you censor us, you only make us stronger."
