Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey cancels shows amid legal troubles

Yasiin Bey, known as Mos Def in the music world, has canceled two upcoming shows in Sweden and Denmark thanks to his ongoing legal troubles stemming from a January arrest.

Bey was arrested in Cape Town January 15 after attempting to leave South Africa with a false “world” passport. He released a voice message Wednesday announcing the cancellation of the May 5 Sweden and May 6 Denmark shows, blaming the “matters at hand here for me in South Africa.” His next hearing is May 12, and he says he’s planning to reschedule the two dates later this fall.

“I’m safe, I’m in good spirits,” he says in the clip, which he recorded in Cape Town. “I want to thank the listeners and the audience for their support throughout the years, for showing interest and continuing over the years to spend their time. It’s greatly, greatly appreciated. I don’t take it for granted.”

Bey previously addressed the situation in another voice message released via Kanye West’s website in January. In that clip, he said, “I committed no crime, why is this state wasting my time?” and announced his retirement from music following a final album. Listen to his latest message below.