Rapper Rick Ross cancels concert tour

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Rap mogul Rick Ross has canceled seven planned U.S. concerts after receiving death threats, MTV.com reported.

Ross, who is the head of the Maybach Music Group, has been touring with hip-hop artists Meek Mill and Wale. He canceled two North Carolina shows Thursday night, then scrapped the rest of the dates Friday, MTV.com said.

"I want to apologize to all of my fans who I missed performing for due to the cancellations and want to let them know that I will get back to their cities," Rick Ross told AllHipHop.com Friday. "I enjoyed my experience with my little bros Wale and Meek Mill and I'm ready to get back in the studio to make good music."

While Ross's publicist told AllHipHop the dates were canceled due to "apparent lack of organization and communication on the part of the tour promoter," MTV.com said it was really because he received threats from the street gang, Gangster Disciples.

Members of the group have said in the past they were upset with Ross for mentioning their leader Larry Hoover in his 2010 single "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)."