A$AP Rocky had a passionate statement for his fans in Sweden in his concert at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Wednesday, some four months after he concluded a month-long stint in jail in the country.
‘I brought you here today for love and unity – that’s why I brought you here!’ the New York City native, 31, said in footage caught by TMZ. ‘Today, is people who are fortunate enough to buy tickets to the show today and come; and to you people, I thank you for coming!’
He continued: ‘Today, there was people who couldn’t afford it and they still made it here and I love you people who came who couldn’t afford that s*** … the whole message today: Spread love and have f***ing fun tonight!’
Focused: A$AP Rocky, 31, had a passionate statement for his fans in Sweden in his concert at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Wednesday, some four months after he concluded a month-long stint in jail
The Praise the Lord (Da Shine) artist was on a bill with local talents including Dree Low, Jireel and Z.E, with some proceeds going to the organization FARR (the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups), Page Six reported Wednesday.
Fans were eager to see rapper A$AP Rocky’s triumphant return to the stage in Sweden months after his arrest for assault, which turned into an international brouhaha after President Donald Trump lobbied for his release. Earlier Wednesday, he was spotted leaving his Stockholm hotel on Wednesday as he headed out to perform.
Back in July, A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) was arrested and jailed after brawling with a 19-year-old.
The rapper seemed absolutely elated to be back in the country and shared a handful of Instagram videos after touching down in the European nation. Taking a selfie video with a group of young fans, he cheered: ‘We in Sweden right now! We had to come through the slums … shout out to the people out here!’
Art imitates life: The popular rap artist performed atop a cage months after his release from a Swedish jail
Positive-minded: ‘I brought you here today for love and unity – that’s why I brought you here!’ the New York City native, 31, told the crowd
Center stage: Rocky took to the stage later that night wearing a bright green sweatsuit
Loving life: Rocky ran back and forth on stage during a lively performance for his fans in Sweden
Bliss: A$AP appeared to be in great spirits as he serenaded the packed stadium with a slew of his hits
In another video, the star said he would be offering free tickets to underprivileged people living in what he explained are dubbed ‘no-go zones.’
‘What’s up ya’ll, A$AP Rocky in Sweden, live and direct,’ he began. ‘I got an announcement for ya’ll. I’m mad happy I’m here.
‘Now we in the suburbs, they call it the no-go zones,’ he said. ‘We here checking out our people, letting them know we care about them. Today I’m throwing a concert. Anybody that lives in the suburbs in Sweden, they get free admission to my show tonight. Anybody from the suburbs.’
Good time: A$AP urged his fans, ‘Spread love and have f***ing fun tonight!’
Beloved: A slew of fans supported the rapper at his first show back in the country
Taking the stage: Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, was photographed as he headed to greet eager fans at the Globe Arena
He’s back! Over the summer the 31-year-old was arrested and jailed after brawling with a 19-year-old which turned into an international brouhaha after President Donald Trump lobbied for his release
Triumphant return: Rapper A$AP Rocky has touched down in Stockholm, Sweden to perform for the first time since he was arrested in the country for a street brawl
Further explaining, Rocky went on: ‘I’m in Stockholm right now. I’m throwing my concert, my first concert after being locked up out here.
‘Everybody from the immigrant community, what they call the immigrant community out here, none of y’all got to pay to come to my show today. All y’all get in for free. Whoever come, whoever from the hood, they get in free.’
After some confusion and concerns over security, the Praise the Lord rapper removed a few of the posts and added a link to access the free tickets to streamline the process.
Happy to be here: The rapper seemed absolutely elated to be back in the country and shared a handful of Instagram videos after touching down in the European nation in front of a hoard of excited young fans
‘What’s up ya’ll, A$AP Rocky in Sweden, live and direct,’ he began. ‘I got an announcement for ya’ll. I’m mad happy I’m here. Now we in the suburbs, they call it the no-go zones. We here checking out our people, letting them know we care about them.’
Doing good: The star said on social media that he was visiting Sweden’s immigrant communities and offering free tickets to his show on Wednesday to anyone from that area who wished to attend
Fans were already queuing up outside of the concert venue before the show to catch the hip hop star’s grand return to the stage after a very tumultuous last visit to the country.
The musician was jailed in Sweden for assault over a street brawl in June, leading President Trump to lobby for his release with a #FREEROCKY hashtag on Twitter.
‘Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around,’ Trump wrote in a July tweet.
’I’m in Stockholm right now. I’m throwing my concert, my first concert after being locked up out here. Everybody from the immigrant community, what they call the immigrant community out here, none of y’all got to pay to come to my show today. All y’all get in for free. Whoever come, whoever from the hood, they get in free.’
The verdict: Rocky was released on August 4 but was found guilty of assault and was handed a conditional sentence and ordered to a pay a total of 12,500 kronor ($1,307)
Safety first: After some confusion and concerns over security, the Praise the Lord rapper removed a few of the posts and added a link to access the free tickets to streamline the process
The incident: The musician was jailed in Sweden for assault over a street brawl in June, leading President Trump to lobby for his release with a #FREEROCKY hashtag on Twitter
The US president also had a direct phone call with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who reportedly emphasized that Sweden’s judiciary was independent.
Rocky was ultimately released on August 4 but was found guilty of assault. He was handed a conditional sentence and ordered to a pay a total of 12,500 kronor ($1,307).
Last month Live Nation said that following his release there was a groundswell of support from fans to have him comeback for another show.
Lots of love: Last month Live Nation said that following his release there was a groundswell of support from fans to have him comeback to Sweden for another show (The scene on Wednesday outside of the concert venue)
Star power: Fans were already queuing up outside of the concert venue before the show to catch the hip hop star’s grand return to the stage after a very tumultuous last visit to the country
Nothing but love for Rocky: Live Nation said that fans in Sweden showed ‘massive support’ for A$AP’s big return to the stage
‘After massive support from the Swedish fans he is returning to Stockholm for an anticipated concert,’ entertainment company said in a statement.
Earlier this week the star had expressed his desire to give back to those less fortunate in the country, particularly Swedish inmates, but was shut down.
In all caps he penned: ‘EVEN WHEN IM DENIED ACCESS TO DONATE OR PERFORM FOR THE INMATES IN SWEDEN I STILL WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE IMMIGRANTS AND POOR PPL OF OUTSIDE SURROUNDING AREAS , THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT JOURNEY , BUT I FEEL ITS MY TASK TO GIVE BACK TO PPL WHO SUPPORTED ME WHEN I WAS DOWN’
Trying to do more: Earlier this week the star had expressed his desire to give back to those less fortunate in the country, particularly Swedish inmates but said he was shut down (Pictured November)
