“It is with a heavy heart that we share with you, due to local logistical issues, the cancellation of our Kevin Hart event scheduled for 21 February in Cairo,” stated the organisers R Productions, asking ticket buyers for “patience” before receiving their refunds.

As part of his Reality Check 2023 worldwide tour, Kevin Hart’s show was scheduled months ago but it was hit by boycott campaigns over alleged claims he made that the kings of ancient Egypt were “black Africans.”

Some commentators saw the cancellation decision as a “victory for social media that proved its capability of bringing about change”.

Egyptian actor Youssef Othman and radio presenter Ahmed Younnes were among many who joined the campaign that demanded the cancellation of Hart’s show in Cairo.

Hart had allegedly said in an interview: “We must teach our children the true history of black Africans when they were kings in Egypt, and not just the era of slavery that is cemented by education in America. Do you remember the time when we were kings?”

It is not clear, however, when and where Hart made these comments.

The comedian has not addressed the controversy publicly.

Many newspapers and TV channels in the region have reported on the boycott campaign, with some hosting prominent Egyptian experts to challenge the claim that ancient Egypt was a black African civilisation.

Aside from his stand-up comedy career, Hart is best known for his roles in hit films like the Jumanji sequels, Scary Movie 3, Think Like a Man, True Story and Me Time.