Rapper 50 Cent has apologised to a hearing impaired airport employee he mocked on social media after his family threatened legal action.
The hip hop star, real name Curtis Jackson, posted a video of 19-year-old janitor Andrew Farrell pushing a cart of cleaning supplies through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Instagram last Sunday (01May16), and when the employee failed to respond to the musician, 50 accused him of being high on drugs.
He said in the clip, "Look at him. What kind of s**t do you think he took before he got to work today? He high as a motherf**ker right here in the airport. Pupils dilated - the new generation is f**king crazy."
The video went viral before the rapper took it down after realising he had been insensitive when Andrew's stepfather, Ken Kramer, revealed the teen suffers from social anxiety disorder and hearing impairment.
Kramer informed TMZ he was planning to sue 50 unless the rapper donated $1 million (GBP687,000) to Andrew's GoFundMe page and apologised to the teenager in person.
The In Da Club star has now apologised to Andrew, stating: "It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community (sic), which is a source of great strength in America. I have apologized personally to him and his family."
He added, "While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, I am truly sorry for offending the young man."
Farrell's family has reportedly dropped any legal action against the rap star with sources telling TMZ Ken Kramer and his wife are satisfied with 50's sincere apology and are no longer chasing him for a $1 million charity donation.