KEY POINTS:
An international hip-hop showcase in Auckland has been cancelled less than 48 hours out, because of an organisational blunder.
The Get Served Tour, featuring US artists Omarion, Marques Houston and Avant, was due to take place at Vector Arena this evening.
It had already been postponed once last year.
Australian concert promoters C4 Events Group, which bears no relation to New Zealand's music television channel, said the event had been cancelled for "security reasons".
The Herald understands it was due to an oversight by the Australian promoters, who forgot to renew the artists' visas.
Visas for the visiting rappers were organised last year for the original tour dates but had not been renewed for the new dates. By the time the mistake was realised, it was too late to have new visas issued.
Several local hip-hop crews were booked for the event, including world hip hop champions Triple8Funk and national champions Sweet & Sour.
Event publicist Sally Woodfield said it was disappointing for everyone involved but without the international artists, there could be no show.
Vector Arena CEO Guy Ngata said the venue was changing arrangements for the evening, reducing staffing levels and cancelling catering.
He said the main focus for the arena was the patrons and ensuring they were fully informed of the cancellation.
The tour was originally set for November 10 last year but was postponed less than a week beforehand due to a "personal matter within the touring party".
Calls to the Australian promoter were not returned yesterday.
Tickets are fully refundable from all TicketMaster outlets.
