Azealia Banks cancels UK gigs to spend time on album

Azealia Banks has cancelled some of her UK appearances this summer

Rapper singer Azealia Banks has cancelled some of her appearances in the UK after label bosses told her to spend more time on her debut album.

The 20-year-old was due to appear at a number of festivals including Rockness and Lovebox.

Her highly anticipated debut album Broke With Expensive Taste was expected to be released later this year.

The 212 star will still appear at Reading and Leeds Festival, as well as BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend in June.

In a statement, her management said: "Azealia Banks will be performing at the Reading & Leeds Festivals and Radio 1/1Xtra Hackney Weekend 2012 this summer, but has unfortunately had to cancel her remaining UK festival appearances due to recording commitments.

"Her October UK headline tour will still go ahead as scheduled."

Banks recently changed management and is now looked after by the same team as Lady Gaga.

The New York artist came third in the BBC's Sound Of 2012 countdown and recently performed at the Coachella Festival in Los Angeles.