Australia grants Snoop Dogg visa

Updated 10.56 Tue Aug 26 2008
Keywords: Snoop Dogg, rapper, Australia

Australia has lifted a visa ban on Snoop Dogg clearing the way for the gangsta rapper to tour in October.

Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr was refused entry to Australia in 2007 because of his criminal record, sinking plans for him to co-host the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

Snoop Dogg was banned by Australia's former conservative government which lost power last year to the centre-left Labour government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

The official said: "He has now been assessed under the character test as having passed, so he will be given a visa."

The visa has cleared the way for a 17-day visit from October 21.

Snoop Dogg was banned by Australia's former conservative government which lost power last year to the centre-left Labour government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Critics say Snoop Dogg's lyrics are racist and sexist. The rapper has sold over 17 million records.

His criminal record counts several drug and firearm charges since 1990, including a 1993 acquittal for murder. He has also been denied entry to Britain.

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