

It was widely reported on May 22 that rapper-actor Mos Def, who now goes by the name Yasiin Bey, was denied entry into the United States for a planned tour. But according to the South African-based media publication Times Live, those reports are completely false.

Bey moved to South Africa in 2013. Times Live reportedly spoke to a friend of Bey, who explained that there is no validity to claims that the star can’t return to his native country. Abdi “Whosane” Hussein is a longtime friend of the rapper and is also an American living in Cape Town, South Africa.

“[Mos Def] has never attempted to enter any country and been refused. It’s a complete lie,” says Hussein. “In fact, if there was anything criminal against you, they would invite you back so they could lock you up.”

Yasiin Bey is participating at the Re-imagination Creative Hub in Addis Ababa, part of the African Union’s “Agenda 2063″ global strategy to “optimize use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans.” According to Hussein, Bey’s work with the organization and several other projects led him to reschedule his anticipated concert appearances in America.