Singer Azealia Banks Says Australia Show Was ‘Racist’ And ‘Demoralizing,’ Cancels Upcoming Performance

Singer Azealia Banks canceled one of her upcoming performances in Australia because of so-called “racist” behavior from fans at previous shows that made her feel “utterly miserable.”

The 31-year-old rap artist made the remarks on Instagram after fans were notified she would not be appearing in Brisbane at The Tivoli on Tuesday night. The show’s promoter confirmed that the show was canceled and anyone who had purchased tickets would receive a refund.

“I’m so sorry you guys, actually I’m not sorry. But listen, last time I was in Brisbane and y’all threw s*** on the stage and damn near almost f***ing hit me in the face with a f***ing bottle of soda or whatever that s*** was,” she said in a video message shared with fans, per the New York Post.

“That was the most like racist, most f***ing demoralizing experience of my f***ing life and right now I’m on a really good track.”

Banks continued, saying she had “enough emotional intelligence to kind of erase room for error before it happens.”

“I am a beautiful black woman and I am not going to get in front of some audience of white people for them to be throwing s*** at me,” she continued. “I am so not sorry. I am not sorry at all. Brisbane, y’all are just going to have to take the L and smoke it.”

Later, the “Chasing Time” singer said she would consider putting on the concert only if there were increased security measures. “Any and everything that can be considered a [projectile] must be checked in at coat check. No keys, no coins, no hair brushes, no vape pens, no lighters. No drinks on the dance floor. The minute something stupid happens I’m leaving,” she warned.

“After this run this will be my very last time touring Australia,” she went on. “This place makes me utterly miserable and I’m too black and beautiful to have a bunch of white people in my face playing with me over their WEAK ASS CURRENCY.”

But later, the concert promoter confirmed the show wasn’t happening at all. “Point Productions would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused, this has been well out of our control,” a statement said, confirming that the show was off due to “unforeseen circumstances.” 

Banks had previously expressed her frustration with performing in Australia. She told an Australian radio host that Aussie fans were “terrible crowds to play for” and could be “violent and belligerent.” In 2016, the singer exited the stage after 90 seconds of playing in Melbourne when someone allegedly threw a beer can at her, per The Guardian.