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!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Zack Polanski: the 'eco-populist' running for Green Party leader
In The Spotlight 'Insurgent' party deputy is making a bid to take the Greens further to the left
-
Do smartphone bans in schools work?
The Explainer Trials in UK, New Zealand, France and the US found prohibition may be only part of the solution
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
-
Anti-Semitism in America: a case of double standards?
Speed Read Officials were strikingly reluctant to link Texas synagogue attack to anti-Semitism