Earl Sweatshirt was performing in Sydney, Australia at the weekend when a fan leaped onstage with him.
Reports vary, but the crux of the matter is that the fan approached Earl suddenly from behind, with the stunned rapper throwing a punch.
Some onlookers claim that the fan was trying to hug Earl, with the rapper's representatives telling Pitchfork that he feared for his safety.
"That fan is not hugging him. He approached from behind and his arms are around Earl's face and neck.," they said. "Earl was attacked as far as any artist performing onstage would be concerned that is ambushed from behind, not hugged."
Writing on Twitter, Earl said: "I'm not a tough guy!! I don't like my personal space breached just like you. just respect niggas out here man not just me respect everybody."
The rapper added: "keep your hands to yourself and don't sneak up on niggas in the middle of soul bearing."
Related: In Conversation – Earl Sweatshirt
