Snoop Dogg is headed to Australia despite protests from a women's group that asked the government there to revoke the controversial rapper's visa due to his criminal history and song lyrics, which they argue are sexist and promote violence against women.
The decision to allow the California-born rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., to visit the land down under and perform at the upcoming Big Day Out festival was announced Wednesday by Australia's Immigration Minister Scott Morrison,
Sky News reported.
In 2007, the Australian government barred Snoop Dogg from entering the country because of his criminal history, which included drug sale and possession,
firearm possession, and vandalism, UPI.com reported. That ban was lifted in 2008.
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The current controversy stems from an online petition started by the grassroots movement Collective Shout, which on its website describes itself as a "movement against the objectification of women and sexualization of girls in media, advertising, and popular culture."
Collective Shout hoped to garner enough support through the petition, which began on Dec. 16, to stop Snoop Dogg from performing in Australia by citing the rapper's explicit song lyrics and criminal history as reasons why his work visa should be revoked.
"Snoop Dogg's lyrics glorify violence against women. His criminal history reportedly includes drug and weapons possession, voluntary manslaughter, inciting violence, and assault," the petition stated. "He has reportedly been listed in an affidavit claiming that he and others lured two underage girls to be filmed exposing themselves by offering them marijuana and ecstasy."
As of late Friday morning, the
online petition had received nearly 4,000 signatures.
After learning of the Australian government's decision to grant Snoop Dogg a visa, Collective Shout sent a letter directly to Morrison asking the immigration minister to reconsider the decision.
"Snoop Dogg's lyrics glorify violence against women which puts all women in danger," the letter read, according to Sky News. "His behavior also contradicts our National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women. If you really care about women and girls, you will revoke his visa and deny him entry."
Morrison has yet to respond to the Collective Shout letter.
In April 2013, Snoop Dogg pleaded no contest to felony gun and drug charges in California and was sentenced to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service,
Billboard.com reported.
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