Earl Sweatshirt punches stage invader in Australia: 'I'm not a tough guy'

"I don't like my personal space breached just like you"

Earl Sweatshirt performs onstage during the PANDORA Discovery Den SXSW on March 19, 2015 in Austin, Texas (Getty)

While Odd Future may have disbanded, its members are keeping the OFWGTA spirit alive and well.

Earl Sweatshirt, who was once the youngest member of the hip-hop collective, has kicked of his ‘Ready to Leave Now Tour’ in quite controversial style.

While performing in Sydney, Australia, the rapper’s stage was crashed by a fan who grabs Earl from behind, wrapping his arms around him.

Instead of waiting for someone to apprehend the crasher, Earl decides to fight back, punching him to the ground while members of his entourage move to kick the person off.

Watch Earl Sweatshirt knock out a fan for trying to sneak up on him on stage in Sydney, Australia pic.twitter.com/Wz6Soufxah

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) July 26, 2015

Many fans believed the invader to be merely hugging the rapper, but according to a representative speaking to Pitchfork: “That fan is not hugging him. He approached from behind and his arms are around Earl's face and neck,” adding "Earl was attacked as far as any artist performing onstage would be concerned that is ambushed from behind, not hugged."

Earl later tweeted: "Keep your hands to yourself and don't sneak up on n****s in the middle of soul bearing.

"I'm not a tough guy!! I don't like my personal space breached just like you. Just respect n****s out here man not just me respect everybody."

Odd Future split up earlier this year, with leader Tyler, the Creator, writing on Twitter that it was no more. The group were once banned from entering New Zealand as were seen as a “threat to public order.”