Jay-Z’s music festival Made in America has been cancelled due to “severe circumstances.” The annual two-day festival, which was founded by the rapper in 2012, was due to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 2 and 3 September. The festival was set to be headlined by SZA and Lizzo.
In a statement on social media, organizers said the decision to cancel the festival was “difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation.”
They did not specify the reasons for the cancellation, but some fans have speculated that it may be related to the recent sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Lizzo by three of her former dancers.
The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, allege that Lizzo created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual, racial, and religious harassment. Lizzo has denied the allegations, calling them “false” and “outrageous.”
It is unclear whether the lawsuit against Lizzo was the sole reason for cancelling Made in America, but it is certainly possible. The festival organizers said they will be back in 2024, so fans will have to wait a little longer to see SZA and Lizzo perform together.
“Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made in America festival will no longer be taking place. This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation,” read the official statement.
The Made in America music festival to return in 2024
The Made in America festival has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional music experiences and has become a staple in the music calendar for fans and concertgoers. The cancellation of this year’s event is a disappointing setback, particularly given the festival’s rich legacy of showcasing top-tier talent.
“We look forward to returning to Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the great city of Philadelphia in 2024,” the statement concluded, hinting at a future resurgence of the festival.
This year’s lineup was highly anticipated, featuring headlining performances by SZA and Lizzo alongside notable acts such as Mase, Cam’ron, Ice Spice, Miguel, Metro Boomin, and Lil Yachty.
