February 19, 2008

Lil Wayne-Hot Boys Reunion In New Orleans Canceled After Shooting Outside Venue

By Shaheem Reid (MTV.com)

NEW ORLEANS - The Hot Boys reunion at the club Dream here on Sunday night - featuring Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile and Mannie Fresh - was over before it could even get started: Two 24-year-old women and a 26-year-old man were shot outside the venue by an unknown gunman at around 12:57 a.m. on Monday (February 18).

According to police, the victims were standing on the sidewalk and began running when they heard gunshots. The three were quickly taken to a local hospital, where their injuries were said to be not life-threatening; the venue was closed and the event canceled.

At press time, local police said they have no suspects or motive in the shooting.

None of the MCs had arrived at the venue by the time of the shooting. MTV News caught up with Wayne not long after the incident. He seemed optimistic that the Hot Boys reunion could be rescheduled, saying that it's "only a phone call away."

The reunion was planned to be a cap on this year's NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans; it would have been the first time in several years that the group had performed. Mannie Fresh was scheduled to take the place of original member Turk, who is currently incarcerated, and a number of MCs - including Rick Ross, Baby and DJ Khaled, along with a host of NBA players - were expected to attend.