Tyler, The Creator is heading back to New Zealand, with the country reportedly lifting their long-standing ban on the artist.
Back in 2014, Tyler, The Creator released his third studio album, Cherry Bomb, which boasted the Lil Wayne and Kanye West-featuring track, ‘Smuckers’. During the tune, Tyler raps; “I got banned from New Zealand, whitey called me demon/And a terrorist, God damn it, I couldn’t believe it.”
To many, this might have seemed like something of an interesting turn of phrase, but in reality, it was his way of drawing attention to an incident that took place the year prior.
Having been booked to perform in New Zealand as part of Eminem’s Rapture tour, Tyler had come to the attention of various groups, who protested the rapper’s arrival in the country due to lyrics that were perceived as violent and misogynistic.
Eventually, Tyler was formally banned from entering the country after being deemed “a threat or risk to public order or the public interest”, and in 2015, this ban extended to Australia and England as well.
Check out Tyler, The Creator’s ‘Smuckers’:
While Tyler, The Creator’s “3-5 year” ban from England seemed to be up earlier this year, the artist has since been announced as a headline act for a number of Aussie festivals at the end of 2019, seemingly implying that his ban of the country (which was initially refuted by a number of sources) is finally over.
Now, it appears as though New Zealand have had a change of heart as well, with the critically-successful musician set to appear in the country for the first time since 2012 next year.
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As Stuff reports, Tyler, The Creator has now been listed on the lineup for the Bay Dreams festival, which takes place in both Nelson and Tauranga across two dates.
These shows will mark Tyler’s first-ever solo appearances in the country, having previously performed as part of Odd Future back in January 2012, after the group was booted from the Big Day Out lineup for their allegedly homophobic lyrics.
However, Immigration New Zealand has reportedly explained to Stuff that Tyler “is no longer deemed to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest” and that his visa is “currently being processed”.
Tyler, The Creator is set to appear in Australia later this year when he headlines the Wildlands, Origin Fields, and Beyond The Valley festivals.
Check out Tyler, The Creator’s ‘EARFQUAKE’:
Tyler, The Creator Australian Tour 2019/20
Wildlands Festival
Saturday, December 28th, 2019
Brisbane Showgrounds, QLD (18 +)
Tickets: Official Website
Origin Fields
Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 – Wednesday, January 1st, 2020
Perth, WA
Tickets: Origin Fields
Beyond The Valley
Saturday, December 28th, 2019 – Wednesday, January 1st, 2020
Lardner, VIC
Tickets: Beyond The Valley
