Hip-hop rapper Ace Hood will no longer be travelling to Kenya for the upcoming Furaha Festival after pulling out of the event over what he described as a breach of contract by the organizers.
Born Antoine McColister, the rapper had been scheduled to headline the Furaha Festival set for June 5 to 7 in Nairobi.
In a statement shared online, Ace Hood expressed disappointment over the cancellation while hinting at a possible future visit to the country.
“I regret to inform you that, due to the promoter’s breach of contract, I will not be performing at this year’s Furaha Festival in Nairobi, Kenya, scheduled for June 5, 2026,” he said. “I hope to have the opportunity to visit Kenya in 2027.”
Ace Hood rose to fame in the early 2010s with hit songs including ‘Bugatti’, ‘Hustle Hard’ and ‘Body 2 Body’.
Despite the rapper’s withdrawal, ticket sales for the festival are still ongoing, with Jamaican Dancehall artiste Ayetian still featured in promotional material for the event.
According to organisers, the Furaha Festival is intended to celebrate music, culture and entertainment by bringing together international performers and African acts across genres including Afrobeat, Amapiano, Hip Hop and EDM.
Ace Hood’s cancellation has also reignited concerns within Kenya’s entertainment industry over concert planning, artist agreements and event management.
In recent years, several concerts involving international performers in Kenya and across East Africa have faced disruptions linked to scheduling conflicts, payment disputes and contractual disagreements.
Even with the cancellation, organisers are expected to proceed with the multi-day festival, which will still feature regional artistes and DJs from across the continent.
