Nelly 'I'm Completely Innocent' Will Not Perform Tonight

10/7/2017 3:25 PM PDT

Nelly Says He's Innocent of Rape, Will Not Perform Tonight

Breaking News

Nelly has broken his silence on the rape allegations against him, saying he's completely innocent and is a victim of targeting ... but he will not take the stage tonight.

The rapper says he's beyond shocked at the "false allegation" and is confident he'll be exonerated once the facts are looked. He claims he's been targeted by the accuser, but apologized to his loved one for the embarrassment and for putting himself in a bad situation.

Also, sources close to Nelly tell TMZ ... he will NOT be performing tonight in Washington with Florida Georgia Line.

We broke the story ... Nelly was arrested for rape early Saturday morning after a woman claimed he raped her on his tour bus.