Profanity charges against rapper dropped

NORFOLK, Va., July 23 (UPI) -- Profanity charges brought against hip-hop artist Raymond "Boots" Riley after his performance at a Virginia music festival have been dismissed, a court said.

Riley was issued a citation after audience members complained he used foul language while introducing members of the the band Galactic, with whom he was performing, at the Bayou Boogaloo at Town Point Park in Norfolk last month.

The festival's organizer, Festevents, pressed charges against Riley, then issued an apology on its Web site for the California rapper's behavior.

The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported that a judge dismissed the charges against Riley Wednesday morning.

The singer did not appear at the hearing, the newspaper said.