Stormzy pulls out of Snowbombing 2019 festival over ‘racism’ row after manager was searched for a weapon
The rapper accused the Austrian festival of 'racial profiling' after nothing was found in the search
STORMZY has pulled out of Snowbombing Festival over a "racism" row after his manager was searched for a weapon.
The rapper said he took drastic steps to stand up against "racial profiling" by cancelling the gig hours before he was due to perform.
It's after security searched "a small number of attendees" - including Stormzy's manager Tobe Onwuka - after allegations someone was carrying a weapon.
After no weapon was found, Stormzy accused the festival of “targeted them despite no one fitting the description”.
Frustrated Stormzy posted a message to fans on social media telling them he had walked out of the Austrian festival.
The 25-year-old explained: "My manager and all my friends who were at the festical were racially profiled, targeted and aggressively handles because they had 'reason to believe someone was carrying a weapon'.
"The security targeted them (despite no one fitting the description), were physically aggressive when handling them an there's been no effort from the festival to actually deal and address the problem."
He added: “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 regrets to inform you that Stormzy will no longer be performing at the festival this evening.
“Last night (Wednesday 10) 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.
“This evening's Forest Party will now not go ahead as planned. We are deeply saddened that any individual would feel uncomfortable at Snowbombing.
“Snowbombing would like to wholeheartedly apologise to Stormzy’s team. We are doing everything we can to understand the full situation and are treating this with the utmost seriousness to ensure this does not happen again.”
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