Los Angeles, Oct 8 (IANS): Rapper Nelly says he is "beyond shocked" after being accused of raping a woman on his tour bus.

The "Dilemma" hitmaker, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, was arrested on Saturday following a gig near Seattle.

Nelly later took to Twitter to deny the "false and defaming allegation", insisting: "I am completely innocent", reports independent.co.uk.

In a string of tweets, the father-of-two also apologized to his family for "putting myself in a situation where I could be victimized".

Summing up his denial, he added: "In other words you all know damn well I ain't do no dumm S*t like this. Love."

Nelly, who was on tour after releasing his seventh studio album "M.O.", is due to play 15 shows around Britain in November.

The 42-year-old's latest performance was at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington, on Friday.

The city's police department said it received a call from a female at 3.48 a.m. on Saturday "to report that she was sexually assaulted by a male, who is known as the rapper Nelly".

The force said: "The alleged assault was reported to occur on the tour bus that was parked at the listed location.

"Nelly had performed at the White River Amphitheatre just hours before. After Patrol Officers investigated the incident, at 4.37 a.m. Nelly was taken into custody."

The rapper, who has not been charged with an offence, was later released while police investigate the allegation of second degree rape.