TWO Radio1Xtra DJs have pulled out of a New Year's Eve gig at Cameo after a group of black men were refused entry to the club despite booking and paying in advance.

Seani B & DJ Ace were scheduled to appear at Cameo New Years Eve as part of their annual celebration but have decided not to appear, saying "As two black men... in a high profile arena, we believe we need to act upon our beliefs."

A statement on their management company's website reads: "There has been widespread reporting of an incident which occurred at Cameo Nightclub in Bournemouth earlier this month which saw a group of young black men being refused entry into the club despite pre-booking and the situation being compounded by a similar group of young white men being allowed in under what seems to be near identical circumstances.

 

"Unfortunately the club were unable to provide any reasoning for their entry refusal for the group of black men, citing their “reservation of rights” to refuse any potential clientele into their establishment.

"This comes soon after another high profile refusal of a group of young black club goers in London recently. 

"Both DJ’s are award-winning radio DJ’s who host weekly shows on BBC Radio 1Xtra to a large and significant audience and the duo have taken the decision that due to the nature of the events at Cameo they feel unable on principle to commit to this booking.

“As two black men who have active careers in a high profile arena, we believe we need to act upon our beliefs.

"It is impossible to ignore these seemingly growing number of cases which are seeing the backbone of the music we love – the audience, and in particular young black audiences – being denied the opportunity to enjoy it as other members of the audience.”

“With that in mind we do not feel we can put our name to an event at a venue where – had we have been audience members – we may not have been welcomed.

"Celebrating our culture with those who help to bring it to life is very important to us, particularly in clubland, and selective door policies based on race does nothing to enhance that culture.

"It is with this in mind that we have decided not to appear at Cameo in Bournemouth on New Years Eve 2015. We wish all club goers of all races a very Happy and safe New Years raving."

More follows.