Snoop Dogg can now add Australia to his list of "Countries I'm Not Allowed To Go To".
Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews described the rapper as "not the sort of bloke we'd like in this country", and refused him a visa.Snoop was to appear at the MTV Australian Video Music Awards in Sydney this weekend.
Andrews explained that Snoop, real name Calvin Broadus, failed a basic character test. He was allowed in the country for the Good Vibrations series of festivals in February, but it would seem that his conviction in Los Angeles two weeks ago on weapons and drug charges have proved the last straw.
Speaking to Macquarie Radio, Andrews said, "The reality is in relation to this man, that he was given a warning the last time, he has a whole string of convictions, and just two weeks ago I was told he was convicted on a number of charges again and sentenced to three years imprisonment on two, and three years imprisonment on another, with five years probation and a suspended sentence."
But MTV Australia remain hopeful that Snoop will be allowed into Australia to attend the award ceremony on Sunday. A statement read, "MTV executives are cooperating fully with immigration officials to respond to the cancellation of his visa, and remain hopeful he will be permitted to enter the country to attend Sunday's MTV Australia Video Music Awards as scheduled."
The decision comes only days after Andrews' department refused to issue a visa to controversial American writer Jim Goad, who was set to MC the inaugural Cherry Rock festival in Melbourne on May 6.
