Karim Ouattara, the promoter and organizer of the Abidjan Laguna show has spoken up about the various issues he encountered when trying to book Asake and Ayra Starr.
In a recent interview with the La Nouvelle Chaîne Ivorienne, Outtarra disclosed that both artists had been paid 50%(€75,000) upfront for their performances. According to The Cable Lifestyle, Karim Ouattara said that Asake requested a private jet to pick him up in Los Angeles, take him to Lagos, Abidjan, and then back to Lagos. At that time Asake was in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards.
Despite receiving a 50% upfront payment of €175,000 from the agreed €350,000, Asake’s insistence on a private jet for travel arrangements proved unattainable, resulting in his cancellation from the event.
“Asake was paid €175,000 (50% advance) to perform in Abidjan with a private jet. Few days to Grammy night, Asake requested that the private jet should come pick him up in Los Angeles, take him Lagos, to Abidjan then take him back to Lagos and from there to his next destination.… pic.twitter.com/mhBnUyURGb
— BASITO (@itzbasito) March 1, 2024
Ayra Starr also received a 50% upfront payment. She was scheduled to travel to the event on a commercial flight. However, she later requested a private jet after her Grammy nomination. She initially scheduled her pickup location in Lagos but later requested a change to Los Angeles.
According to the video circulating on social media, Karim Ouattara said “With Ayra Starr, the jet was never in question. She was supposed to take a commercial flight to the event. She had come to a Marvel Africa event before and she took a commercial flight.
“After being nominated for the Grammy, she requested a private jet to pick her up from Lagos and I said no problem because we had canceled Asake and we had a jet in advance. But the jet would be taken from Lagos and not Los Angeles. Ayra then said the jet should come pick her up in Los Angeles and I said, no I can not do this, then we canceled her too,”
“Ayra Starr was also paid €75,000 (50% advance) to perform in Abidjan, she was supposed to take a commercial flight to Abidjan. Few days to Grammy night, she requested if she can get a private jet and I said no problem since we already paid for a PJ for Asake and he’s cancelled,…
— BASITO (@itzbasito) March 1, 2024
