Rob Thomas makes a racial slur

Former Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas was hit with a wave of criticism after he made a statement on stage while performing in Melbourne on Friday that referenced Aboriginal Australians and their alcohol abuse struggles.

“I drink ’til I think I’m Australian. And then I keep drinking ’til I think I’m a black Australian,” the Unwell singer joked on stage, which was met with boos and groans from the crowd according to TMZ.com.

Rob later issued an apology statement saying, “I’m sitting here in my hotel room completely gutted that a joke that I made was much more relevant to the times in Australia than I realised... I feel like a fool and apologise to all Australians.”