Rapper Busta Rhymes has publicly thanked his lawyers and immigration officials for helping him gain access into the U.K. following his airport detention.

The hitmaker was detained overnight on Thursday by British border authorities over his past criminal convictions in the U.S. At one point it looked as if he'd have to scrap a charity show in London on Friday night, but he was released and allowed to perform after a High Court judge granted him a last minute reprieve earlier in the day.

The judge emphasized the extraordinary nature of the case, and told the court he was acting so as not to disappoint the thousands of fans who were heading to the Orange RockCorps concert at the capital's Royal Albert Hall. And Rhymes, real name Trevor Smith, made sure those who helped him fight his case were not forgotten, paying tribute to them as he closed his set at the show.

He told the audience, who had each undertaken four hours of community work to earn their ticket, "I almost didn't make this show here today. But, at the end of the day, we need to acknowledge my lawyers... all the people who went through hell to make sure I got in the country yesterday. Every individual who fought in the immigration (authorities) to make sure I came through. It was not only people who work in immigration who got me through, but we had people in the counter terrorist organization involved to ensure this show went ahead.

The 36-year-old's detention is thought to relate to prior convictions for drunk driving and assault.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)