Kendrick Lamar has pulled out of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 10 days before his scheduled performance. Rapper J. Cole will replace Lamar at du Arena on November 24.
Promoters said Lamar’s decision came “due to personal reasons” beyond their control.
J. Cole performed during 2015’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the free Beats on the Beach festival on the corniche. He has since released his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, which debuted at No 1 on the Billboard 200.
Historically, after-race concerts have been open only to race ticketholders. But this year fans can buy a Friday ticket (Dh395) that includes access to the J. Cole performance on Friday and Calvin Harris’s set on Thursday.
Mumford & Sons and Pink are also slated to perform, on November 25 and November 26 respectively.
