“Shit is beyond my hands,” says the Grammy-winning rapper as she apologises to Jamaican fans, dismisses claims of poor ticket sales and hints at contractual issues behind her last-minute withdrawal.

American rapper Cardi B has broken her silence over her last-minute cancellation of her highly anticipated performance at BZR in Jamaica, releasing a video in which she apologised to disappointed fans and insisted that circumstances beyond her control prevented her from taking the stage.

The Grammy-winning entertainer, who had been expected to headline the event, said she had deliberately delayed making the cancellation announcement because she was hoping outstanding arrangements would be resolved.

“Good morning. I wasn’t really going to address this because I feel like the statement was enough, but clearly it wasn’t,” Cardi B began in the video.

“First thing first, I want to really, really apologize to Jamaica and to my Jamaican fans. The reason why I canceled so late is because when I say I tried my best and I waited for things to get in place and together, but it didn’t.”

The rapper appeared visibly disappointed as she explained that the cancelled appearance had also disrupted personal plans to celebrate her birthday in Jamaica with friends and relatives.

“I’m actually sad that I’m not able to go to Jamaica because this weekend is my birthday weekend. So I made plans for next weekend because after my performance I was planning to vacation with my friends and my family members for a couple of more days after my performance, which clearly that’s not happening.”

Cardi B dismisses low ticket sales claims

Addressing speculation that poor ticket sales may have contributed to her withdrawal, Cardi B firmly rejected the suggestion, arguing that her international appeal and the anticipated turnout from across the Caribbean made such claims unreasonable.

“Um, for the hate for the haters, not the Jamaicans, but for the haters talking about due to low ticket sales, it was never that because I heard there were over 18,000 tickets sold.”

The figure cited by the rapper has not been independently verified.

She continued: “And not only that, but it’s like, be for real, I’m Cardi B. I thought that sold out in Saudi Arabia, in Thailand, everywhere around the world.”

Cardi B said she believed the concert would have attracted not only thousands of Jamaican fans but also supporters travelling from neighbouring Caribbean countries.

“And not only was Jamaica going to pop out for Cardi B, you had people from different Caribbean islands that were going from the Bahamas to the Dominican Republic to St. Lucia. Everybody was going to come see me. You know what I’m saying?”

Her comments suggested that the event had generated significant regional interest, with fans potentially making travel arrangements to attend the performance.

“I can’t talk. It’s a contract”

Although Cardi B did not disclose the precise circumstances that led to the cancellation, she appeared to suggest that contractual matters were preventing her from publicly explaining what had gone wrong.

“However, ooh. Come see me. However, I can’t talk. It’s a contract. But just know it wasn’t me. Just know. And I’m sorry.”

The remarks raise further questions about the arrangements surrounding the performance, although the rapper stopped short of identifying any individual or organisation as responsible.

She maintained that she had repeatedly allowed time for unresolved matters to be addressed before ultimately deciding that the show could not go ahead with her participation.

“I tried my best. I waited this long because I was trying to give chances over and over again. And things didn’t meet to the point that it’s like it would have just. It’s just. Oh, I don’t want to say much.”

Her reluctance to elaborate left the exact nature of the dispute unclear, including whether the difficulties related to contractual obligations, logistical arrangements or other outstanding requirements.

However, her insistence that the decision was beyond her control appeared intended to reassure fans that she had not simply chosen to abandon the Jamaican engagement.

Rapper hopes to perform in Jamaica in the future

Despite the disappointment surrounding the cancellation, Cardi B expressed affection for her Jamaican supporters and said she remained hopeful of performing on the island at another time.

“Just know that I’m sorry. And I really, wish that I could come. And perform in Jamaica one day because I really love you guys. I have an amazing fan base out there.”

She ended her message with another apology and a firm insistence that the situation had been outside her control.

“And I’m sorry, and I love y’all. And shit is beyond my hands. I promise y’all.”

The cancellation leaves questions surrounding the future of BZR, particularly whether organisers intend to proceed with the event without its headline attraction.

For fans who had anticipated seeing one of hip-hop’s biggest international stars perform in Jamaica, the video offers an explanation of the rapper’s position but few concrete details about the circumstances that led to her withdrawal.

Her comments also place renewed attention on the event’s organisers, with questions remaining over the status of the show and what arrangements, if any, will be made for ticket holders following the cancellation.

WMV reached out to BZR promoters for comment on whether the event will still go ahead without its headliner, Cardi B, but received no response.