Nice rhymes, shame about the machete

Boris Johnson is getting behind the idea of Busta Rhymes, the American rapper, performing at a concert at the Albert Hall in September, which is being staged to raise awareness about knife crime. Says BJ: “I am hugely impressed by the Orange RockCorps [the organisers] initiative, and by the willingness of big names like Busta Rhymes to take part.”

But if the London mayor really wants Busta to be at the event he’s going to have to pull some serious strings. At present the 36-year-old rapper - real name: Trevor - is having difficulties with his UK visa on account of a recent probationary sentence he received for keeping a machete in the boot of his car (he has also be fined $100,000 for attacking a fan and repeatedly cautioned for drink driving offences). The UK Border Agency doesn’t sound as if it will bend the rules for him. Says a spokesman: “We continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offences abroad.”

Meanwhile, singer Lily Allen is seeking a meeting with Johnson to discuss the escalation in London stabbings. "It’s really sad," she writes on her MySpace site. "We need a knife amnesty, we should put on a big concert to raise awareness and stop the violence. Boris, if you’re listening, call me man!"

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