Waka Flocka Flame Cancels Upcoming Shows After Being Denied Entry In To Australia

US rapper Waka Flocka Flame has cancelled his Australian shows this month after being denied entry in to the country.

The American presidential candidate and reality star was scheduled to play a slew of shows across the country and New Zealand from next week, but he has ultimately had to pull out after the Department of Immigration and Border Protection refused to grant him a visa. 

In a Facebook statement released by New Zealand promoter Robin Fernando, it explained that Flame, real name Juaquin James Malphurs, was denied entry: "due to his recent arrest(s) on both firearms and drug charges."

In October last year, the 28-year-old was arrested at an airport in Atlanta after he was found to have a loaded handgun in his luggage. 

He did have his New Zealand visa granted, but due to the majority of the shows being held in Australia, the entire tour has been called off. 

The statement however does hint that the promoters will make an effort to help Flame gain access to the country for possible future dates, as it read: "All ticket holders will be contacted for an immediate refund by Non Stop Tix, and will receive prior notification of Waka Flocka’s new tour dates and guaranteed presale tickets for the new shows."

It marks the second time Flame has cancelled an Australian tour, after he indefinitely postponed shows in 2013 in an effort to release his album Flockaveli 2 before touring. 

However, the shows were never rescheduled and that particular album is only just about to come out with a June 1 release date set. 

UPDATE: Waka Flocka Flame's management have confirmed that the rapper's visa has simply been delayed, rather than denied, though the matter was out of the hands of both Flame and tour coordinators. 

New dates are currently being rescheduled for later this year and will be announced shortly. 

Current ticket holders need take no action as they will remain valid and venues will not change. Those who can not attend the new dates can secure a refund from original point of purchase.