Update: Reports out of New Orleans indicate that a second concert by Baton Rouge rapper NBA YoungBoy scheduled to be held in Atlanta was canceled due to a purported altercation with Atlanta police.
The incident occurred in the VIP section of State Farm Arena on Wednesday, when the artist performed the first of two shows, but the second one didn’t happen.
NBA YoungBoy is supposed to perform in New Orleans on Sunday and Monday, where officers have added 400 on-duty officers to the venue to mitigate any problems.
Original Story:
In a stunning turn of events for hip-hop enthusiasts, rapper NBA YoungBoy’s highly anticipated second Atlanta performance on his MASA Tour has been abruptly canceled, leaving thousands of fans scrambling for answers and refunds.
The show, slated for Saturday, October 18, at State Farm Arena, was part of the Louisiana native’s first-ever headlining tour, which has drawn massive crowds since kicking off in early September.
On Wednesday, the rapper received the key to the city.
But in a puzzling development, State Farm Arena posted on social media that the Saturday night concert would not proceed.
While there has been wild speculation, it has not been confirmed why exactly the concerned canceled.
The cancellation was confirmed late Thursday evening through official channels, including Ticketmaster and the venue’s website.
According to listings on Ticketmaster, the event—billed as “NBA YoungBoy – MASA TOUR” at 7:00 PM—is now marked as “Cancelled,” with no rescheduled date announced.
This comes mere days after YoungBoy successfully headlined a sold-out gig at the same venue on Wednesday, October 15, where he performed hits from his extensive catalog alongside special guests like deebaby and K3.
As of late Thursday, neither YoungBoy’s team, Live Nation, nor State Farm Arena has publicly disclosed a specific reason for the cancellation. Social media buzz suggests it may stem from the event organizer’s decision, but details remain scarce.
Why Was the Show Canceled?
Some users on social media suggested that NBA YoungBoy’s diss song aimed at a prominent local rapper may have caused friction that reached city officials.
Others speculate that State Farm Arena became worried about security in light of the diss song.
We reached out to the City of Atlanta’s Film Office to find out if they knew about the key to the city being awarded.
No matter what the cause was, it’s clear that NBA YoungBoy won’t be performing that song in Atlanta anytime soon.
This isn’t the first hiccup for the 25-year-old artist’s tour; earlier this month, his September 24 stop in Chicago at the United Center was scrapped just a day before showtime for undisclosed reasons, frustrating fans and prompting questions about the tour’s stability.
NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, has been a polarizing figure in rap since rising to fame in the mid-2010s with raw, introspective tracks addressing street life, relationships, and personal struggles.
His MASA (Make America Slime Again) Tour was positioned as a triumphant return to the stage after a five-year hiatus from live performances, largely due to legal battles and house arrest stemming from federal gun charges in 2020.
Despite pleading guilty earlier this year and being sentenced to probation, YoungBoy has maintained a prolific output, releasing multiple projects while under restrictions.
The Atlanta doubleheader was meant to capitalize on the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene, with the October 15 show reportedly drawing over 18,000 attendees for an electric night of performances.
Ticket buyers who purchased through official channels like Ticketmaster can expect automatic refunds processed within 14 to 21 business days. Those who bought from third-party resellers, such as Vivid Seats, are advised to contact the seller directly for reimbursement policies.
State Farm Arena has also issued a statement emphasizing the no-bags policy for the now-defunct event, though it’s unclear if similar measures were a factor in the decision.
The MASA Tour is set to continue with stops in Birmingham on October 18 (now potentially unaffected or rescheduled), followed by back-to-back shows in New Orleans on October 19 and 20.
However, the string of cancellations has raised eyebrows among industry insiders, who point to YoungBoy’s ongoing legal entanglements and the logistical challenges of touring under probation as possible contributors
Sources close to the matter, speaking anonymously, suggest production issues or last-minute venue conflicts could be at play, though nothing has been verified.
For devoted “Slimes”—YoungBoy’s loyal fanbase—this latest setback underscores the rapper’s turbulent path to stability.
With over 20 billion streams on Spotify alone and a discography boasting chart-topping albums like Sincerely, Kentrell and The Last Slimeto, his influence remains undeniable.
Fans are encouraged to monitor official tour pages on Ticketmaster and Live Nation for updates on potential rescheduling. In the meantime, the hip-hop world waits—and wonders—what’s next for one of its most enigmatic stars.
So it looks like no NBA YoungBoy this time, but the weekend is not a waste. For real tunes at a venue near you, check out our Atlanta Live Music Guide.
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