Rapper Sean '' Combs has urged U.S. President Barack Obama to visit the Missouri town gripped by riots and violence following the death of an African-American teenager, insisting the situation there is "serious".

Michael Brown was shot dead by a local police officer investigating a robbery on 9 August (14). The tragedy has sparked a series of heated protests between locals, police and U.S. Marshals in Ferguson, and the hitmaker feels it is time for the U.S. leader to head to the state.

In a post on his Instagram.com account, he writes, "This s**t ain't right. Obama, get on a plane - it's serious. These are your people, baby. These are your people."

While President Obama has spoken out about the situation, stating, "I have to be very careful about not prejudging these events before investigations are completed...", the politician has yet to announce plans to visit the region.

Meanwhile, several other celebrities have commented on the incident with rapper J. Cole penning a song as a tribute to Brown and Missouri native Nelly is working with the dead teen's family to establish a scholarship in the 18 year old's name. Nelly also led a peace rally in the town on Monday (18Aug14).