The forthcoming Rapture hip hop festival could see controversial rap collective Odd Future hitting Australian shores once more.
Tyler, The Creator and his OFWGKTA associates have been pegged to join the Eminem-headed tour later this month after being announced as a replacement for Kendrick Lamar on Rapture’s New Zealand showing in less than two weeks.
The hip hop festival is set to take place at Western Springs in Auckland on Saturday 15th February with Eminem headlining a bill featuring internationals Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, David Dallas, and Aussie rapper 360, but according to The New Zealand Herald, Lamar has pulled out of the even due to an “unavoidable scheduling conflict.”
A press release from promoter Paul Dainty offers a message from the 26-year-old millionaire MC, “New Zealand! Sorry I’m missing you this time, but the homies, Odd Future will kill it for you and I’m excited for Australia this month.”
The Odd Future lineup replacing Lamar at the Auckland concert will feature ringleader Tyler, The Creator along with Odd Future members Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, Left Brain, Mike G and Taco Bennnett (no word however on Earl Sweatshirt, who just played Auckland as part of Laneway Festival, and now touring Australia).
A possible Australian appearance from Odd Future following the New Zealand show will inevitably lead to some backlash. The rap group’s previous visits Down Under – including their virgin 2011 trip and tour with the 2012 Big Day Out – have been fraught with media scrutiny and controversy.
A standalone co-headline tour from Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt last year also drew headlines with politicians calling for the former to be kicked from the country due to his misogynistic lyrics, while a Sydney in-store signing and appearance at a street wear outlet was shut down by Police.
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Kendrick Lamar – named one of the hardest touring acts of 2013 – will still be performing his scheduled dates in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, on a lineup featuring heavy-set mixtape superstar Action Bronson, hip hop major J. Cole, anti-racist/anti-homophobic Aussie MC 360, and topping the bill, the return of Eminem to Australia for the first time in three years.
Rapture Festival 2014 Lineup
Eminem
Kendrick Lamar
J. Cole
Action Bronson
360
Rapture Festival 2014 Dates, Tickets
Wednesday 19th February – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne VIC
Thursday 20th February – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 22nd February – ANZ Stadium, Sydney NSW
Tickets:
GA Red Zone $155.00
A Reserve $155.00
B Reserve $100.00
GA Lose Yourself Zone $299.00
