Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com Looks like Down Under officials are going to put the Doggfather on a tight leash.
Barred from the country last year for what immigration authorities called "character issues," Snoop Dogg has just been granted a visa for a fall tour with Ice Cube—a move that has sparked controversy in certain kangaroo quarters.
A senior immigration official tells Reuters his office planned to more closely examine the Grammy-nominated hip-hopster's criminal history and lay out strict behavioral guidelines for the Australian dates.
"As a result of public concern and interest, the department has decided that in fact we will be undertaking a more thorough assessment of Mr Broadus' character," says the unidentified official.
There's been no immediate comment from the Dogg pound.
The 38-year-old hip-hopster toured Australia in February 2007 but overstayed his visa by two days. That infraction, coupled with various law-skirting incidents in Sweden, England and the U.S., led to authorities refusing to allow him back in the country to host the MTV Australia Video Music Awards in April of last year.
But with a more forgiving centrist government now in power, Snoop was cleared for return Oct. 21 for a 17-day sojourn with the Ice man.
And that's not sitting well with certain advocacy groups.
"Snoop Dogg trades in toxic messages of menace, violence, misogyny and lawlessness," Angela Conway, of the Australian Family Assn., grouses in the Herald Sun newspaper.
All this means that upon his arrival in Oz, Snoop Dogg is expected to be greeted by Munchkins, er, immigration agents who will advise him to be on his best behavior and follow certain rules if he wants to remain there.