A German rapper is the subject of a legal complaint filed by Berlin’s mayor, who has accused him of releasing a video containing anti-gay lyrics, and which incites violence.

Bushido, 34, was the subject of the legal complaint by openly gay Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit, who said, as well as containing homophobic language, the song also featured fantasies about murder.

The video and lyrics for the song Stress Without Cause targets specific politicians, and shows images of a man igniting a car with a body in the boot, reports Reuters.

A spokesman for Mayor Wowereit said the Social Democrat (SDP) had lodged a legal complaint against the rapper for abusive comments, among other things.

The rapper, real name Anis Mohamed Youssef Ferchichi has been condemned by many politicians and journalists. Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said the video “crossed the line” and that it was now a legal matter.

Pop singer Heino told Bild daily newspaper that Bushido’s “criminal energy” should be halted.

Speaking in a television interview, Bushido defended the rap. He said: “I may have overshot the mark a bit but I would not in any way excuse myself here,” he told N-24, saying he was not inciting violence.

“If I shoot, then I only do it with words and not with anything else,” he said.