CHICAGO, July 28 (UPI) -- McDonald's Corp. has dropped controversial Chicago rapper Twista from the lineup of its 10-city, live music tour, it was reported Saturday.
The foul-mouthed performer was to perform Aug. 7 as part of the "McDonald's Live" tour that kicked off in Los Angeles Thursday.
However, the fast-food company issued a statement Friday announcing it had decided to drop Twista "following concerns raised about the artist's controversial lyrics," the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
"Although we respect free speech and artistic expression, we do not condone or perpetuate derogatory language," the statement said.
Twista has been criticized for performing songs that use the "N-word," demean women and perpetuate violence.
The search for a replacement act is underway.
Artists are not paid for the gigs, which are performed at various McDonald's store parking lots. Performances will, however, be promoted on Yahoo Music and shown on MTV, with one of the acts to be featured in an advertising campaign for McDonald's, the Sun-Times said.
Twista, who pens a regular column for the Chicago Tribune's RedEye operation, did not return calls for comment.
