Odd Future (artist)
Artist: Odd Future
Year: 2014
Date of Action: February 14, 2014
Region: Australia
Location: New Zealand
Subject: Explicit Sexuality, Violence
Medium: Music
Confronting Bodies: Immigration New Zealand
Description of Artwork: The six-performer rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, typically shortened to Odd Future, is a group from Los Angeles whose lyrical content features elements of homophobia, rape, murder, and cannibalism.
The Incident: Odd Future is barred by border operations of New Zealand from entering the country on the grounds that the group is a potential threat to public order. The group was set to open for rapper Eminem later in February. A statement released by Immigration New Zealand said, "Odd Future has been deemed to be a potential threat to public order an the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence." This ban follows criticism received by Odd Future for misogynist lyrics by feminist groups, which included an Australian woman advocating for removal of the group leader Tyler the Creator's visa.
Results of Incident: Odd Future is still currently banned from New Zealand. According to Karen Urwin, border operations manager for Immigration New Zealand, "we would entertain the idea of having them come back, as long as they change the direction of some of their message and mellow their attitude."
Source:
• http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/13/world/asia/new-zealand-odd-future-ban/
