AMERICAN hip hop artiste Rick Ross will not be appearing at Reggae Sumfest at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, this year.

The rapper, who is currently facing kidnapping and assault charges in the United States, has been dropped from the festival’s line-up due to what is referred to as “circumstances beyond the control of [the] organisers”.

“Rick Ross is unable to travel at this time and his management has said that Ross is saddened that he cannot be in Jamaica to perform for his fans on July 17 but he looks forward to coming back to Jamaica in the near future,” read a release from festival organisers, Summerfest Productions.

Ross was scheduled to perform on July 17.

Summerfest Productions also used the opportunity to apologise to fans and sponsors.

“The team is currently working assiduously to find a suitable replacement and will make an announcement in the coming days,” said the release.

Several efforts made to contact Summerfest Productions’s principals were unsuccessful.

Ross, 39, (given name is William Leonard Roberts II), is accused of kidnapping and pistol whipping a grounds keeper at his property. He was arrested on June 24 and released on US$2-million bail on Thursday.

Sumfest is scheduled for July 12- 18.