Apology for rapper comments

A Rhythm and Vines spokesperson has apologised after festival’s cofounder/director Hamish Pinkham told Stuff he and the festival organisation team was well aware of rapper Dizzee Rascal’s abusive and aggressive” assault conviction and continued to secure him for the December 30 performance anyway, saying that while the rapper’s conviction was a “red flag” his team is looking to book tours for him again. “As we say, he’s done the crime, done the time, and now it’s time to do the grime,” he told Stuff. Now a spokesperson for Rhythm and Vines has admitted “the words used were inappropriate and chosen without thought when discussing the serious matter”. Dizzee Rascal — whose full name is Dylan Kwabena Mills — was announced as a major act for the popular Kiwi festival on Wednesday night, mere months after he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Jones, during a June 2021 argument that erupted over custody arrangements for their two children. In April he was sentenced to a 24-week curfew, a 12-month restraining order and an electronic tag.It is not yet known if there will be refunds available for ticket holders who don’t wish to attend due to the rapper’s involvement.