Tyler, the Creator announced today (February 13) that Odd Future is banned from New Zealand.
“OF IS BANNED FROM NEW ZEALAND, AGAIN. THEY SAID WE WERE ‘TERRORIST THREATS AND BAD FOR THE SOCIETY’ OR WHATEVER. SICK. THEY ARE ANTI GOLF,” the Odd Future rappers said in a Twitter update.
The reported ban prohibits Odd Future from performing as an opening act for an Eminem concert.
“Very unfortunate decision by NZ immigration to withdraw Odd Future’s travel visas- while they were on the way to the airport,” Rosenberg says in a Twitter statement. “We do not support any decisions by government agencies or otherwise that result in the suppression of any form of artistic expression.”
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Immigration New Zealand issued a statement on the matter, as per NME. “The Immigration Act 2009 provides that entry permission may not be granted where there is reason to believe there is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to public order or the public interest,” Immigration New Zealand says in its statement. “Odd Future has been deemed to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence. In one instance, a police officer was hospitalized following a riot incited by Odd Future.”
In 2011, Odd Future was taken off the bill for a New Zealand festival, reportedly because of the group’s lyrical content.
Twitter updates from Tyler, The Creator and Paul Rosenberg can be viewed below.
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