Snoop Dogg has been refused entry into Australia.
The rapper failed to pass the country's strict character test, which
considers criminal convictions, and his visa has been canceled.
Snoop, who was due fly to Australia to co-host the MTV Australian Video
Music Awards on Sunday (04.29.07), has 28 days to contest the decision.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews told Sydney's Macquarie Radio Network:
"He doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country.
"This man has been a member of a Los Angeles gang, and is still associated
with it apparently, that's been involved in murder, robberies and drug
dealing in the Los Angeles area."
MTV are currently in discussions with immigration officials to overturn the
star's ban.
MTV managing director Dave Sibly said: "We're putting a lot of energy in to
making a case for how popular Snoop is and the fact he's been here before
without incident.
"We're hopeful that when people tune in to MTV at seven o'clock on Sunday,
they'll see Snoop on the red carpet."
The 35-year-old hip-hop star received a warning after overstaying his visa
by two days when he visited Australia in February.
Snoop - real name Calvin Broadus - was recently given five years probation
and 800 hours of community service after pleading no contest to gun and drug
charges in the US.
This is the second time this year the rapper has been barred from entering
another country.
Last month, he was forced to scrap the UK leg of his tour with P. Diddy
after being denied a visa, following a brawl in London's Heathrow Airport
last year.
Earlier this year, the rapper was interviewed by Swedish police on suspicion
of using illegal narcotics after performing in Stockholm.
Snoop's lawyer, Donald Etra, said he had not heard about his client's
refused entry into Australia and could not comment.
It doesn't take Snoop much to be happy - just give him an Xbox with a life-time supply of weed and he's all good.
