The famous Spanish rapper Morad has had to cancel his planned performance at the Danish music festival Northside, taking place in June in Aarhus. The cancellation is due to a recent court ruling in Spain where the rapper has been sentenced to two years of probation. Morad, who was charged with disturbing public order and incitement to serious violence during a music video shoot near Barcelona in 2021, has accepted the sentence to avoid a longer prison term. Originally facing a six-year sentence, negotiations between the defense and prosecution led to a reduced sentence of probation and fines over two years. The incident that led to the rapper’s conviction took place during the filming of a music video with around 150 participants. When the police arrived, they were met with insults and thrown eggs and stones, resulting in damage to six police cars. Morad has also been ordered to pay compensation for the damages.
The Northside Festival has announced the news of the cancellation on their Facebook page and expressed regret over the situation. They also emphasize that they are working to find a replacement for Morad so that festival-goers can still enjoy a full program. The festival, taking place from June 6th to 8th at Eskelunden by Aarhus River, will continue to update their audience on any changes to the lineup. Morad’s cancellation and subsequent conviction highlight the complex relationship between artists’ personal lives and their professional careers, and how legal issues can have far-reaching consequences for both artists and their fans.