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Rap superstars 50 Cent, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Juvenile have sold more than 35 million records combined. But in Lafayette, they moved less than 300 concert tickets.
Easter Jam 2008, the rap concert scheduled over the weekend at the Cajundome, was canceled because of low ticket sales. Floor tickets were $125, the highest in Cajundome history.
Promoter Derrick Hodge of Shockwave Entertainment of New Orleans said the show was called off after only 289 tickets were sold. Hodge said 60 of those tickets were bought by one person.
Hodge even cut prices to boost ticket sales. Floor seats remained at $125, but second level seats dropped from $87.50 to $77.50. Top level seats were reduced to $60.50 and $45.
But only 29 tickets were sold in the weekend after the price cuts. Hodge said he is disappointed the event did not receive more support.
“All the program directors, general managers at radio stations, from Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, even in New Orleans, they couldn’t believe the people didn’t support the event,” Hodge said. “It’s unbelievable for a lineup like that. You had 7,200 people come out for Lil Wayne (at the Cajundome) and it was basically just him.
“I could have taken someone off the lineup and lowered the ticket prices. But the show wouldn’t have been as good.”
Hodge added he had no hard feelings toward Lafayette.
“I’ll just wait a while before I think about bringing a big lineup like that again. If I do, I’ll have the ticket prices a lot lower.”
Marquee artists, such as 50 Cent and Ludacris, who have also starred in hit movies, come with premium ticket prices. Cajundome Assistant Director Pam DeVille said prices are made by a show’s promoter, based on artist fees, availability, staffing, production, catering, insurance, transportation, lodging and special equipment needs.

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