Stormzy has pulled out of his headline performance at Snowbombing Festival after accusing festival security staff of 'racism'.
The 25-year-old rapper was just hours away from going on stage at the event in Mayrhofen, Austria, on Thursday when he claimed his manager was 'targeted' by security over reports of someone carrying a gun on site.
Stormzy, real name Michael Omari Owuo Jr, said he took 'drastic steps' to make a point about 'racism and racial profiling' after the incident.
A spokesperson for the festival said they were "deeply saddened" by Stormzy's decision but that their staff had acted "in accordance with protocol".
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They added that Stormzy was not on site when the incident occurred.
In a series of posts to his Instagram story the south London rapper said: "My sincerest apologies to anyone who travelled all that way to watch me perform.
"I'm genuinely upset that you've wasted your time and money and that burns me more than you'd know.
"The last ever thing I wanna do is let down anyone who's taken time out to support me.
"So please hear me out, I too would be fuming if I travelled and spent money to go and watch an artist and they pull out last minute.
"However if these are the drastic steps that I need to take to make a point against racism and racial profiling then trust me I'm taking it."
A statement from the festival said: "Snowbombing's security were alerted to the possibility that an individual at the festival was allegedly carrying a weapon.
"In accordance with protocol, a small number of attendees, including Stormzy's manager were escorted to the nearest exit, searched and no weapon was found.
"Stormzy's management were unhappy with the manner by which this took place and as a result Stormzy will no longer be performing tonight."
