Additional Coverage:
- Rapper cancels concert hours before show after crew member dies in horrific truck crash (themirror.com)
J. Cole Cancelled Sacramento Concert After Tragic Death of Touring Crew Member
J. Cole abruptly canceled his August 27 concert at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center just hours before taking the stage, following the death of a member of his touring crew in a highway accident.
The crew member, Jarlath Parkinson, 66, from Jackson, South Carolina, was driving a semi-truck transporting concert equipment from J. Cole’s prior show in Seattle when the vehicle left southbound Interstate 5 in Yolo County early Thursday morning.
The truck overturned, and Parkinson was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities indicated that no drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
In a joint statement, J. Cole and tour operator Live Nation expressed their condolences, saying, “Following the tragic passing of a member of the touring crew in a trucking accident this morning, J.
Cole’s performance at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento tonight, August 27, has been canceled. Our thoughts are with the crew member’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
The California Highway Patrol reported that the truck drifted onto the right shoulder shortly after 6 a.m. The driver attempted to return to the roadway but lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
J. Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole in Germany, is a highly regarded rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer.
He is currently on The Fall-Off Tour, which includes 73 scheduled performances across the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Fans holding tickets for the Sacramento show have been advised by Live Nation to seek refunds through Ticketmaster.
It remains uncertain whether the canceled concert will be rescheduled.
This announcement comes shortly after J. Cole publicly apologized to fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, following the release of a diss track aimed at him.
J. Cole’s debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 in 2011. Over the years, he has earned numerous accolades including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, a Billboard Music Award, three Soul Train Music Awards, and eight BET Hip Hop Awards.