Following on from the announcement of its 2013 dates this April, that happen to be going head-to-head in capital cities with Live Nation’s Nas-curated hip hop festival Movement, the organisers of Supafest may have a major headliner up their sleeve.

The bullet-soaking, world class rapper 50 Cent may be gracing Australian shores as part of the RnB and hip hop music festival this April, with the news arriving – as FasterLouder points out – by Fiddy’s own DJ Whoo Kid.

The G-Unit DJ (real name Yves Mondesir) took to his twitter to announce that the pair would be heading to Australia for a series of dates that slots along rather nicely with the previously announced dates for Supafest 4.

Those April dates start just two days before Supafest 4’s kick-off in Perth on Anzac Day and conclude when Supafest does, in Brisbane on Sunday 28th April.

Additionally, the Supafest Facebook page has posted a link to a countdown timer for a ‘Big Announcment’ to be revealed on Thursday 7th March at 8pm, which means that the 50 Cent DJ may have dropped the ball early, or Supafest has another big name secreted away, or even their proposed lineup for their 2013 edition in its entirety.

Confirmation of 50 Cent’s return would follow on from his 2011 Australian appearance with the Winterbeatz Festival, which was also presented by promoters Paperchase Touring and Entertainment, the promoters behind Supafest, which reinforces the idea that they’ve roped in Fiddy for a return Down Under.

That being said, the promoters haven’t been without their controversies in the last twelve months. Paperchase Touring were recently assessed by administrators to be owing in excess of $2 million to creditors, stemming from problems surrounding last year’s Supafest 3, which left thousands of ticket holders furious when a number of the headliners, such as P, Diddy, Missy Elliot and Rick Ross, were pulled off the lineup ‘to cut costs’, according to the promoters.

Those April dates start just two days before Supafest 4’s kick-off in Perth on Anzac Day and conclude when Supafest does, in Brisbane on Sunday 28th April.

It was later revealed that a number of the acts were never even booked for the event, with Missy Elliot’s long-time manager Mona Scott-Young revealing that they were never booked to play Supafest. “It is unfortunate when this happens as this dishonest behavior hurts everyone involved,” said Scott-Young at the time. ”It not only damages the reputation of the artist, but most importantly it disappoints the fans who spend their hard earned money on tickets expecting to see the artist.”

Despite these reports from SmartCompany, the shareholders and Paperchase Touring and Entertainment are forging ahead with this year’s edition, and are wary of the rumours circulating their lineup plans to the point of issuing a statement on their social media that reads: “Unless its on this Supafest Facebook page or the Supafest website it is considered to be a rumor and we will not be held responsible for public speculation,” write organisers.

“We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for the event, however we must once again stress we have no affiliation with anyone other than this Facebook site and the Supafest website,” they add.

Supafest 4 is also going head to head with Live Nation’s entry into the festival market, with dates that clash directly with the hip-hop themed Movement Festival on three consecutive dates. While Supafest is yet to confirm its lineup and locations for 2013, Movement has confirmed a lineup featuring Nas, Australia’s own Bliss N Eso, and a host of rising international stars like 2 Chainz, Chiddy Bang, Joey Bada$$ and Angel Haze.

Supafest 2013 Dates

THURSDAY 25TH APRIL – PERTH
FRIDAY 26TH APRIL – SYDNEY
SATURDAY 27TH APRIL – MELBOURNE
SUNDAY 28TH APRIL – BRISBANE

Movement Festival 2013 Dates & Tickets

FRIDAY 26TH APRIL – SYDNEY, HORDERN PAVILION
www.ticketek.com.au

SATURDAY 27TH APRIL – MELBOURNE, SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
www.ticketmaster.com.au

SUNDAY 28TH APRIL – BRISBANE, RIVERSTAGE
www.ticketmaster.com.au

TUESDAY 30TH APRIL – PERTH, RED HILL AUDITORIUM
www.oztix.com.au www.ticketmaster.com.au

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine