5 Rappers Dropped From New York Music Festival at Police Request

Five rappers with New York roots were removed from the local edition of the traveling hip-hop festival Rolling Loud, scheduled for this weekend in Queens, at the behest of the New York Police Department, representatives for the concert said on Saturday.

The move came after Martin Morales, an assistant chief at the Police Department, sent the festival organizers a letter on Wednesday requesting the removal of five artists —

22Gz, Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G and Don Q — citing safety concerns.

The performers, who were among several dozen scheduled to join blockbuster acts like Travis Scott, Wu-Tang Clan and Meek Mill at Citi Field, “have been affiliated with recent acts of violence citywide,” the department said in its letter. “The New York City Police Department believes if these individuals are allowed to perform, there will be a higher risk of violence.”