Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland has been back in the public eye recently. McFarland, who was released from prison last year, let attendees down with his failed festival, but he also left local workers hanging, who didn’t get the payment they deserved for their contributions to the event. Now, though, McFarland is cooking up a plan to get them their money, and it involves getting in the boxing ring with Ja Rule.
On the April 28 episode of the Off The Record podcast, McFarland chats with host DJ Akademiks. At one point during the conversation, McFarland took a FaceTime call with an associate, who spoke about a potential boxing match between McFarland and Ja Rule. Somebody is apparently willing to pay $350,000 to make a “15-minute” fight between the two happen, which McFarland said would “get every worker in the Bahamas paid back in full,” with neither McFarland or Ja Rule receiving any payment themselves.
As for how that bout would go, McFarland said, “He’ll probably beat me, like 80-percent chance he wins, and that’s fine.”
McFarland, meanwhile, is working on launching another music festival. He explained, “It’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working. People aren’t getting paid back if I sit on the couch and watch tv.”
Check out the podcast clip above and listen to the full Off The Record episode here.
The Fyre Festival was supposed to be a luxury music festival, organized by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule. They scheduled the festival to take place in the Bahamas in April and May 2017. Many high-profile celebrities heavily promoted the festival on social media, promising an unforgettable experience on an exclusive island. However, when the festival-goers arrived at the island, they discovered that the reality was far from what had been advertised.The festival was a complete disaster. There was little to no infrastructure, lack of proper accommodations, inadequate food, and no musical acts. The festival-goers were left stranded on the island with no way to leave, as there were not enough flights to transport everyone back to the mainland. The incident sparked outrage and a flurry of negative media attention. In the end, it led to lawsuits against both McFarland and Ja Rule.
After the disaster of the first Fyre Festival, McFarland and Ja Rule announced a second Fyre Festival, which they promised would be bigger and better. However, this event was also cancelled due to the negative publicity and legal issues surrounding the first festival. McFarland was later arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, and wire fraud related to the Fyre Festival. In 2018, he pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to six years in federal prison. The Fyre Festival has since become an infamous example of how not to organize a music festival, and a cautionary tale for those who want to start a new business venture. Billy McFarland seems not to have learned his lesson, though.
Recently, Billy McFarland took to Twitter to announce that Fyre Festival II was indeed happening. Though he has already spent time in prison for the first iteration and still owes millions upon millions, he persists. If nothing else, you have to give him credit for his resilience. Now, in effort to pay back the employees in the Bahamas who still have not been paid, McFarland wants Ja Rule to take part in a fight.
Allegedly, someone is willing to pay $350,000 to watch Ja Rule and McFarland duke it out for 15 minutes. If they do it, all of the unpaid people that were employed in the first Fyre Festival will get paid. Whether or not Ja Rule is even willing to entertain this idea remains to be seen. Something tells us he won’t be into it, as he has already denied any involvement with Fyre Festival II. What do you think about the plan to repay the employees? Let us know in the comments!
It would be angering to pay thousands of dollars to go to a luxurious private island full of one’s favorite musicians, artists, and celebrities—only to find out that the only activities they would be taking part in are the bare act of survival. This is precisely what happened to hundreds of attendees who arrived on the first day of the Fyre Festival in the Caribbean. This festival came together, or rather, fell apart, under the watchful eyes of founders Billy McFarland and Ja Rule.
It’s been a few years since the Fyre Festival dominated the headlines. In that time, quite a bit has happened. McFarland, who was initially sentenced to six years in federal prison, served four years. This reportedly included two periods spent in solitary confinement. On the other hand, Ja Rule was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in connection to the event. This may have surprised many, considering how much he touted his involvement. But how did he get involved? Was any of the responsibility his? And the big question—where are both of them now?
Before Fyre, There Was Magnises
Billy McFarland was known in certain circles for being a whiz kid regarding his salesmanship. Young, energetic, and completely charming, he managed to find a variety of investors for a wide swath of projects throughout his career. The first one to become something “big” was NY-based credit card company Magnises. This company catered to a new wave of millennials recently moving to New York City—a group with expendable income but no community to invest money into. Through the services McFarland created through Magnises, he created the illusion of an exclusive world available only to members. There was a clubhouse accessible to the “elite” members, along with membership-only exclusive offers.
Through Magnises, McFarland met Ja Rule, who he booked as an artist to perform. McFarland’s difficulty attempting to book Ja Rule in the first place birthed their relationship. McFarland recounted in later testimony that the amount of hoops he had to jump through to get through to Ja inspired him to come up with the idea for Fyre— and to bring Ja in on the ground level. The beginning of the Fyre festival came as Magnises was coming to an end.
The Charade Of Billy McFarland
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 7: Andy King and Billy McFarland attend the Magnises Dinner Party at 22 Greenwich Ave on August 7, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Magnises was a company that seemed too good to be true. They offered exclusive tickets to shows that were consistently difficult to access at a fraction of the cost. They also provided a full-on playhouse for their NY-based clients. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true because it was. The basis of the company was a ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ situation. McFarland and his partners would announce they sold tickets to high-price events months in advance. However, this was done to bolster funds to pay off their previous promises to clients. This kept them consistently one-half-step ahead of the “exclusive” offers they provided. As if that wasn’t enough to cast a dark cloud over Magnises’ reputation, their lack of financial security was only the first shoe to drop.
Customers began complaining about the service Magnises provided. Their exclusive ticket offers began to be less and less reliable. Reservations promised to customers would be canceled hours before they were scheduled. At the same time, the clubhouse McFarland was leasing for Magnises members was taken away after the owner found the place trashed. As all this became public, an even bigger scandal presented itself. This time, connected to Magnises’ leading investor, Aubrey McClendon.
The Feds announced several indictments against McClendon, including antitrust and conspiracy charges. Less than 24 hours after the indictment, McClendon was found dead in a “mysterious, fiery car crash” that killed him instantly. McFarland, who heavily relied on McClendon to keep Magnises afloat, began to scramble to figure out his next move. Enter Ja Rule.
Ja Rule Fyre Fest: The Beginning
Although Magnises was falling apart, McFarland had already begun creating a new version of his business. This time he was bringing Ja Rule along with him. After their initial meetings, McFarland gave Ja Rule a title (in name only) at Magnises. In essence, Ja acted as the public persona that drew in other celebrities and artists to participate in events McFarland threw with Magnises. A glorified brand spokesman may not have been on Ja’s original career path, but it spiraled into something bigger.
It was through their relationship that the two brainstormed the concept of Fyre. Contrary to what it may seem based on the festival itself, Fyre started as an app that would act as a booking tool for the public. Something that would allow anyone with the funds available to place an offer to a celebrity for an appearance. The app had the potential to be something significant. McFarland and Ja Rule both seemed to believe in the vision. So much so, that they were ready to put their full efforts into the marketing and advertising of Fyre. Their overzealous desire to make people aware of Fyre the app birthed Fyre the festival.
From An App To A Festival
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 14: Wale and Billy McFarland attend Wale performs at Magnises Holiday Party at Magnises House Soho on December 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathon Ziegler/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The McFarland financial foundations had taken a major hit when McClendon’s empire fell. McClendon had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into Magnises, and now those funds were not only frozen but were tied up amid a federal indictment. Around that time, McFarland met Carola Jain, the wife of a hedge fund manager and investor. She became McFarland’s biggest supporter through encouragement and her seemingly unending bank account. Jain was the biggest financial investor in Fyre—not the app, though. The festival.
The festival itself was touted as one of the most exclusive, lavish, never-before-seen experiences the world had ever encountered. It all started with a bright orange square that spread across social media. Copying the effective tool of political organizers on social media, Fyre Festival created an initial buzz around by simply simul-posting a neon orange square on social media platforms.
Influencer Culture
Anchored by some of the biggest supermodels and influencers in the world, McFarland and Ja created a total onslaught of marketing. Photos and social media posts were launched by a carefully selected group of some of the most influential, powerful, and highest-paid supermodels in the world. McFarland and his team frontloaded hundreds of thousands of dollars in the budget at the pinnacle of influencer marketing. Throughout the festival promotion, Ja Rule was at the forefront. The rap icon threw his co-founder title wherever possible as his social media flooded with Fyre-related activity. While McFarland oozed charm and was the perfect salesman to make him the man behind the money, Ja Rule was the man in front of the camera.
Springboarding off his celebrity status and built-in influencer status, McFarland’s relationship with Ja was a part of the initial buy-in. It lent some form of credibility—however little—and allowed people to feel that the project may have a layer of legitimacy. The entire premise of the festival was impossible. Physically, financially, and time-wise, no matter what layer you looked at. McFarland and Ja’s wishlist was impossible to fulfill, but the false promises kept being made.
Ultimately, the three-day festival that was supposed to be of legend was more of a fable. A far-fetched dream so desperately removed from reality that it could have only existed in someone’s mind. Hundreds of ticket holders showed up at a “private island” initially claimed to be owned by Pablo Escobar. They found out that they were being housed in a veritable parking lot of the Sandal’s resort in the area. Purchasers who had rented luxury villas or mansions instead fought for air mattresses and geo-tents left over from FEMA disaster relief. The gourmet food promised to all festival-goers was presented with styrofoam containers filled with cheese sandwiches and wilted salad greens. No artists that were initially scheduled to perform showed up. Many said they had never been paid or weren’t booked in the first place.
There were no lights on the island, and as the sun began to set on the festival’s first day, the atmosphere descended into Lord of the Flies. The survival of the fittest warzone where people were fighting for spaces, blankets, and mattresses. They were burning tents around them to keep other people from being able to camp close to them. With a surplus of alcohol and a lack of food, the chaos that continued through the night caused many to fear for their safety. It was a complete and utter failure, an ad-hoc fraud that never had a chance.
Where Are Billy & Ja Now?
McFarland served four years of a six-year sentence and was released in late March 2022. Since that time, McFarland has launched (and recently was hiring for) his new tech start-up company called PYRT. He called it a virtual immersive decentralized reality. He also shared the news that Fyre Festival II was coming, which was met with shock.
Ja Rule is still Ja Rule. While he became the butt of many jokes, Fyre Failure hasn’t had much of an impact. He was legally released of all wrong-doing in regards to Fyre Festival and wants to put it all behind him. However, we don’t believe he’ll be involved in the second go ’round.
There’s a fun rabbit hole to be had with scam festivals. The first popular iteration of being sold a dream and receiving a disappointment was the infamous 2014 Tumblr convention, DashCon. However, nothing really blew up as much as Fyre Fest, the 2017 Caribbean island music festival so fraudulent that it was the focus of not one, but two separate documentaries.
Billy McFarland, the frat bro mind behind Fyre Fest, received a six-year prison sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to a boatload of fraud charges. He was released in early 2022 and this year, went on a media apology tour. But now it looks like Billy’s back because, on April 9, he announced Fyre Fest II.
So before we get to whether Ja Rule is involved again, we have to ask a question. Is Billy McFarland throwing another Fyre Festival to make the money to pay back the people he owes from the first Fyre Festival? As part of his court sentence, McFarland was ordered to pay back $26 million in fraudulent investments he accepted for Fyre Fest I. On April 12, he even tweeted that he is holding an NYC cookout with Andy King and “all proceeds go to people who are owed”. So there’s that. But then the question has to be asked – why? The first Fyre Fest wasn’t a festival gone wrong, like DashCon. It was literally a scam. There was no Fyre Fest to sequel. It was basically a prototype of Squid Game. And yet, Billy is out here once again.
But now for the bit you’re actually here for. Is Ja Rule involved again? As you may remember, Ja Rule was a major player, and purported headline act, for Fyre Fest I. However Ja was eventually dropped from the $100 million lawsuit against McFarland and other Fyre Fest defendants. So is he back? No. According to a report from PEOPLE, Ja was very clear about Fyre Fest II. “I don’t know nothing about it. I ain’t in it!” Ja said. But there you have it, Fyre Fest II is coming to an island paradise near you, and Ja Rule is steering well clear this time.
Billy McFarland’s first-ever attempt at throwing a music festival may have been one of the biggest flops in human history, but that’s not stopping him from trying again. On Sunday (April 9), the convicted felon announced via Twitter that he’s plotting another event in the near future, and he’s already seeking out eager volunteers to make an appearance on the guest list. “ Fyre Festival II is finally happening,” he wrote on the weekend. “Tell me why you should be invited.”
Earlier this month, McFarland interestingly spoke out about his desire to return gracefully to the public eye, writing, “I was one of the most Googled people in the world. What’s next will be the biggest comeback of all time. My plan: get some wins under my belt; rebuild trust, and build an audience so I can build the next media empire.” As Variety notes, his latest announcement comes shortly after his release from prison last year. The 31-year-old served four years of a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to charges of defrauding investors and scamming ticket buyers. He additionally received a hefty fine of $26 million, which he has vowed to find a way to pay.
In response to his Fyre Festival news, many users chimed in with skeptical reactions. “Tell me why you shouldn’t be in jail?” one user asked McFarland. “It’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working,” he retorted. “People aren’t getting paid back if I sit on the couch and watch TV. And because I served my time.” Someone else suggested that they should be invited to the upcoming event, “because [they’re] not Ja Rule,” which earned an obvious seal of approval from the embattled businessman.
“I know a safer way to enjoy music,” the official LimeWire account quipped, though they weren’t fortunate enough to earn a reply from the original poster. Keep scrolling to read more Twitter reactions to Billy McFarland’s big announcement. Afterward, let us know if you’ll be attending Fyre Festival 2.0 in the comments below.
Twitter Reacts
it’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working. people aren’t getting paid back if i sit on the couch and watch tv.
Yesterday, Billy McFarland announced that he’d be returning with a Fyre Festival II, shortly after being released from prison for what occurred during the first one.
For those who don’t recall or hadn’t heard of the first one, McFarland attempted to host a music festival on an island, using celebrity endorsements to sell tickets. (He paid Kendall Jenner $250,000 to reportedly post about it, as just one example.) However, as guests arrived, it was more like a scene out of Lost, rather than a luxurious event. The artists on the lineup, including Blink-182, Migos, and more, had already canceled their appearances.
The disastrous attempt cost investors $26 million and earned McFarland a six-year prison sentence, of which he served about four.
When asked why in the world McFarland would think it was a good idea to try this again, he answered, “It’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working. People aren’t getting paid back if I sit on the couch and watch tv. And because I served my time.”
it’s in the best interest of those I owe for me to be working. people aren’t getting paid back if i sit on the couch and watch tv.
“I was wrong,” McFarland also said last year during a Good Morning America interview. “I messed up. I was so driven by this desperate desire to prove people right. I had these early investors, backers, employees, and I think I was just so insecure that I thought the only way to prove myself to them was to succeed and that led me down this terrible path of bad decisions.”
Late last year, he was also reportedly hosting something called PYRT (pronounced Pirate) that was supposed to be a virtual festival. But why have that when you can have a real thing?
As to who exactly would attend Fyre Fest II this time around, I guess we’ll have to see.
Blink-182 is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again? That seems to be the mantra of Billy McFarland, the organizer of the infamous Fyre Fest music festival that spiraled into chaos and disaster, leaving thousands stranded in the Bahamas for a concert event that never materialized.
However, almost exactly six years to the date that the original Fyre Fest spiraled into disaster, McFarland seems to be ready to give it another go, tweeting his plans for Fyre Fest II and inviting fans to tell him why they should be invited.
Naturally, the responses were every bit as hilarious as expected with some respondents volunteering to bring food and water with others offering their therapy or DJ-ing services. One user gave the response: “Because I’m forklift certified.”
The first Fyre Fest, which was set to happen over two weekends (April 28–30 and May 5–7, 2017) had teased major headliners such as Ja Rule, Blink 182, and Lil Yachty with A-list celebrities such as Kendall Jenner promoting the event on their social media. However, no performances took place and McFarland ended up pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud charges and serving just over four years of his original six year prison sentence.
While McFarland may be free and planning a comeback event, one thing is likely certain- the event will not be held in the Bahamas again. Aviation Chester Cooper, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, said that the Bahamas will not endorse or approve any event in associated with McFarland, stating that he “is considered to be a fugitive.”
Billy McFarland, known as the co-creator of the disastrous Fyre Fest scam, recently completed his prison sentence. In addition to planning another business attempt, McFarland appeared on The Diary Of A CEO series (as NME notes), where the Fyre documentaries — Netflix’s Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened and Hulu’s Fyre Fraud — were brought up.
He spoke about his time in prison, specifically when one of the documentaries was screened after being brought into prison on a USB stick. He said, “I literally went outside, I think I was one of two people who wasn’t in the TV room watching the documentary, but I couldn’t do it,” McFarland said. “I think I was still in the combative phase where I just hadn’t come to reality with everything that had happened and I was too scared to hear allegations or comments by the people and not be able to respond.”
“I just hadn’t come to reality with everything that happened. I was too scared to hear allegations or comments by other people and not be able to respond,” he continued. “I wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it, so I feel like I wasn’t stable enough or mature enough at that time to watch it, and probably still am not.”
McFarland’s upcoming PYRT (pronounced “Pirate”) business venture will be seemingly hosted in the Bahamas for a “handful of artists, content creators, entrepreneurs and any of you guys who end up joining the PYRT crew,” according to his TikTok. Just in case anyone still has Fyre Fest FOMO.
Fyre Festival II is finally happening.
Fyre Festival II is finally happening.