Violence Halts Rapper Kaaris' ICoast Show

A show by French-Ivorian rapper Kaaris in Abidjan ended in violence as fans were injured while rushing towards the stage, AFP reporters said.

Kaaris, wearing an orange jersey of the national Ivory Coast football team, was into the fourth song of his set at the Anoumabo festival of urban music (Femua) late on Saturday when fans knocked over security barriers and surged forward.

Security guards forced them back with truncheons, while police fired tear gas at a group of especially unruly fans, bringing to a halt the concert attended by almost 10,000 people.

One fan who had come to see his "idol" blamed the crowd surge on police, while Kaaris returned an hour later to vent his anger and call for calm.

On Sunday, the rapper is to take part in an event in Gagnoa, western central Ivory Coast, along with ex-football star Didier Drogba and Salif Traore, also known as "Asalfo" of the group Magic System.

"It's going to be hot, I can't wait," Kaaris said. "I was born there. I have a lot of hope in me and I want to share a bit."

He declined to comment further to the press however on a high-profile brawl in August with rival rapper Booba at Orly airport south of Paris.

"You can ask him when you see him," Kaaris said.