Banned rappers OneFour blocked from entering ARIA Awards venue
As controversial rappers OneFour cancelled their national tour amid claims of police “pressure”, new revelations have emerged that the group was banned from going near the ARIA Awards.
Confidential
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Controversial rappers OneFour have cancelled their national tour amid explosive new revelations that they were banned from entering the venue that hosted the ARIA Awards.
The rappers claim police have pressured venues around the country to cancel shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney.
“Our entire national tour has now been cancelled,” OneFour said on its Facebook page today. “Our fans have never caused any issue at our concerts. So why can’t you see us perform? Making and performing music is not a crime.”
With the tour in tatters, management for the Mt Druitt rap crew on Thursay revealed NSW police officers visited “the homes of two band members to ban them from attending (the) ARIA Awards venue, and their local shopping centre, via exclusion orders”.
In a statement, the management team said: “The message from NSW Police to OneFour for speaking out on the right to perform their music is unmistakeable.
“The broader message they’re sending, in particular to western Sydney youth, is less upholding the law and more about enforcing moral judgments.”
Management added: “NSW Police continue to refuse to speak or meet with band management or their legal representatives. We stand ready to.”
Confidential has seen an exclusion order, dated November 26, banning the OneFour members from entering The Star in Sydney, which hosted the ARIA Awards on Wednesday, and a “removal of persons from premises notice,” dated November 27, for the Plumpton Marketplace in NSW.
Controversy surrounding the YouTube rappers, who have racked up 30 million streams for rhymes including Shanks And Shivs, The Message and Ladz in the Hood, escalated after their show at 170 Russell was abruptly cancelled last Sunday.
“We’re devastated that due to issues beyond our control the Melbourne show has been cancelled at short notice,” OneFour said. “Our management are disappointed about the timing of this and the impact it has on fans.”
In a statement released on Monday, OneFour claimed the Melbourne date was cancelled due to “pressure” on the venue from “NSW police”.
The statement added: “This sets a dangerous precedent in police ultimately determining which artists can and can’t play at music venues in Australia.”
Victoria Police visited 170 Russell in the week leading up to the November 24 show, but said any cancellation came from the venue or tour promoter Live Nation.
OneFour performs so-called drill rap, a hardcore hip hop offshoot that originated in Chicago, and has been adopted by British rappers.
OneFour claims NSW police shut down three planned Sydney shows this year.
In relation to OneFour’s national tour, NSW police told the ABC they “work closely with venues and event organisers to ensure the safety and security of attendees, the wider community, and police.”
Two members of OneFour were arrested and charged over a fight in a NSW pub last year. They pleaded guilty to the charges and are awaiting sentencing.
A statement from the band said: “OneFour’s songs depict a life of adversity and conflict.
They have come out of one of the most disadvantaged postcodes in Australia and are on the verge of being the first rap band to break into the US and UK music scene.”
A New Zealand show, in Auckland on December 5, is still going ahead, and the band will released a new single in January.
“We’ll keep it moving forward,” OneFour said on Thursday. “Much love to all the people who have stood up and shouted out their support.”
Confidential has sought comment from NSW Police.