It’s been two years since Troy Ave last performed in his hometown of New York City — according to the rapper — but the Brooklyn native was ready to make his return to the city last night. Unfortunately for him, the NYPD shut down his Club Starlets appearance saying that Troy Ave was a safety risk. Troy Ave released an apology video to his fans on Instagram following the bad news.
“We ain’t trippin. Eventually we’ll just show them that, you know, we’re coming with peace, we show love,” said the rapper. The rapper first announced that he was working on booking a performance in New York City at Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club. Troy booked the gig, but with all things considered the police department thought it best that Troy not be present at the strip club.
In May 2016, Troy Ave, born Roland Collins, was the center of media attention after he was involved in a shooting at New York’s Irving Plaza in Manhattan. Surveillance cameras caught video of Troy Ave firing shots inside the club. The ‘White Christmas’ rapper was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and second degree murder. Three people were shot at Irving Plaza and there was also one fatality, Troy Ave’s friend, Ronald “Banga” McPhatter.
After further investigation, Hip-Hop Podcast host Taxstone was later found to have been involved in the shooting. Taxstone later plead guilty to two gun charges in the Irving Plaza Shooting and is being charged for the murder of McPhatter as well. Troy Ave was recently criticized for a line in his song ‘2 Legit 2 Quit’ in which he seems to admit to being willing to take the stand against Taxstone.
As a consolation for the cancellation, Troy announced that he would begin recording his next album, New York City the Album 2.
