Rapper Max MacKinnon, one third of hit Aussie hip hop group Bliss N Eso, has come under fire for misogynistic photos taken at the Madame Tussauds wax museum in Hollywood.
Eso posed alongside a number of female wax celebrities, including one with a raised fist to the face of a replica Rihanna figure, publishing the images to his 40,000 Instagram followers with the caption “Where did ya throw those fucking car keys woman !?! #smackmybitch #shelovesthewayithurts”, in reference to a 2009 incident in which the pop star was assaulted by former boyfriend and music figure Chris Brown.
Another photo depicted MacKinnon crouched below a life-sized Lady Gaga with his fingers angled towards the pop star’s wax genitals, captioned with the hashtag “#1upya”.
Eso has since deleted the images from his Instagram account and issued the following statement to theMusic.com.au.
“Violence against women has no place in our society and I am sincerely sorry for the offence that my previous Instagram posts have caused.
“The photos were not intended to promote violence and were shot in a comedic manner, which upon reflection I realise was in bad taste and unacceptable. I am and always have advocated strongly against domestic violence and especially violence against women.
“My music does and always will continue to spread a message of positivity, unity and equality.”
Bliss N Eso have emerged as one of Australia’s most popular hip hop acts and already have two No.1 albums to their name, including last year’s Circus In The Sky.
