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Yasiin x Kanye West w/ Robert Glasper Experiement Live at La Bataclan in Paris (as shot by Mr. Mass)
Yasiin x Kanye West w/ Robert Glasper Experiement Live at La Bataclan in Paris (as shot by Mr. Mass)

No More Parties In SA: Yasiin Bey Announces His Retirement + Speaks On His Detainment In South Africa

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY.

Yasiin Bey x Kanye West live in Paris ca. 2013, photo by Mr. Mass for Okayplayer

Everyone has had a close watch on Kanye’s twitter feed as of late, in hopes he might drop another Swish related bomb on us. However, Yeezy dropped a bomb of another sort just moments ago, he’s hosting an exclusive message from Yasiin Bey himself.

For a quick catch up, the last week we’ve heard numerous reports out of South Africa (where Yasiin and his family currently call home) on Yasiin allegedly being arrested in while trying to leave the country for a show in Ethiopia and given two weeks to leave SA. In this clip (which can be heard on Kanye’s site) Yasiin takes some time to clear his name and set the record straight.

The recording begins with a freestyle “No More Parties In SA,” where he declares himself innocent and sheds more light on his current situation. After the bars, Yasiin, in no uncertain terms, makes it clear that he was detained unlawfully and all he wants now is for him and his family to be allowed to leave South Africa for good (looking for no damages in return). Yasiin also makes it clear that he feels there are political motivations behind how he is being treated.

The final bomb comes from Yasiin announcing that he is retiring from the music industry (as well as Hollywood) as it is presently constructed, and plans on releasing his final album this year. The last seconds are filled with some more bars, before he leaves us to wonder if this situation has led to the end of Yasiin Bey the artist - listen to it in full here. We're hoping for the best possible outcome for Yasiin and his family in what must be very trying times.

UPDATE [11:00 am 1/20/16]: Okayafrica has just reported that the The South African government has clarified its position on Yasiin's detainment and their policy towards the contested World Passport.

>>>Get more and read the full statement here.